EP2268783A1

EP2268783A1 - Use of alkane sulfonic acid for descaling in the agri-food industry

Info

Publication number: EP2268783A1
Application number: EP09746009A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Didier Juhue; Bernard Monguillon
Original assignee: Arkema France SA
Current assignee: Arkema France SA
Priority date: 2008-04-29
Filing date: 2009-04-28
Publication date: 2011-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 2029-04-28
Also published as: FR2930560B1; FR2930560A1; CA2711264A1; WO2009138690A1; PL2268783T3; ES2823452T3; US20100331228A1; EP2268783B1; CA2711264C; DK2268783T3

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of alkane sulfonic acid for descaling, and more generally for cleaning vats, casks, and other containers used for the storage, shipping, and handling of meat and early produce, particularly poultry, fruit, and vegetables. The present invention also relates to a composition in gel form including at least one alkane sulfonic acid.

Description

USE OF ALKANE-SULFONIC ACID FOR DESCALING INTO

FOOD INDUSTRY

The present invention relates to the use of alkane-sulfonic acid for descaling, and more generally for the cleaning of tanks, drums and other containers used for storage, transportation, handling, preparation, storage, foodstuffs of vegetable and animal origin, in particular meat and early vegetables, in particular fruits and vegetables. The present invention also relates to a formulation in the form of gel comprising at least one alkane-sulfonic acid, particularly suitable for cleaning and more particularly to descaling containers, vats, barrels, transport chains, and other soiled by storage during storage , handling, transport and processing of meat and vegetables, especially fruit and vegetables.

In the agri-food industry, there are two particular areas which are that of the meat distribution chain, from slaughterhouses to the final consumer, and that of the distribution chain of vegetables, especially fruits and vegetables. vegetables, from the harvest to the final consumer. These two areas a priori remote both concern perishable foodstuffs, which can generate, by their very nature or during their handling, storage, aging and other, various organic and / or mineral substances that are deposited and contaminate various containers, drums, vats, transport chains and other containers. [0005] Indeed, the distribution chains of meat and early vegetables, such as fruits and vegetables, from the producer to the consumer today comprises a great many stages, in which the meat and the primeurs undergo numerous storage operations. , transport, sorting, handling, packaging, possibly drying, and others. In each of these steps are used various containers, vats, barrels, crates, transport chains, and others that are in contact, more or less prolonged, with said food products, meat and vegetables, such as fruits and vegetables.

With regard to contact with food, the question of cleanliness of the containers and therefore crucial: the various juices, juices and other solid or liquid impurities may, if not effectively cleaned, cause the formation and propagation of bacteria, but also the formation of tartar or any other solid mineral element that would make said food unfit for consumption. At present, the cleaning in the meat industry and early vegetables is mainly provided by phosphoric acid, particularly because of its high descaling power, and its relative corrosiveness vis-à-vis various containers, metal, or plastic, used in this industry.

However, it is observed that phosphoric acid does not allow, or difficultly, the removal of scale, especially oxalates alkali or alkaline earth, which is formed and accumulates in the various containers, drums, vats and others. In particular, it is very difficult to ensure a complete, efficient and hygienic cleaning, when the dirt is present and embedded in the nooks or particularly difficult to access parts of the various utensils used for storage, transport, handling and others, meat and vegetables.

In addition, for environmental reasons, the use of phosphoric acid is now disputed, because of the phosphate type releases it generates.

Thus, a first object of the present invention is to provide an effective alternative to the use of phosphoric acid for cleaning dirt, including tartar scale, particularly oxalates, encountered in the industry of meat and early vegetables, typically meat, fruits and vegetables. Another object of the present invention is to provide an effective alternative to the use of phosphoric acid for the effective cleaning of encrusted and difficult to access dirt. Another objective is to provide an effective alternative to phosphoric acid while avoiding discharges and effluents harmful to the environment.

Yet another object is to provide an effective alternative to phosphoric acid and which does not cause or very little corrosion of the various containers used for the transport, handling, processing and storage, among others, of meat, fruits and vegetables. Still other advantages will become apparent from the description of the present invention which follows. It has now been discovered that it is possible to perform a complete and efficient cleaning of the various containers used in the meat industry and early vegetables using an alkane-sulfonic acid based formulation. Indeed, it has been discovered that an alkanesulfonic acid-based formulation has a stronger descaling power than the phosphoric acid usually used in this type of industry. In addition, the use of an alkanesulfonic acid is less harmful to the environment, compared to the phosphate releases inherent in the use of phosphoric acid.

Thus, according to a first object, the invention relates to the use of at least one alkane-sulfonic acid for cleaning dirt present in the various containers, drums, and other containers used in the packaging circuits, storage systems. , display and distribution of meat from slaughterhouses and early vegetables, in particular fruit and vegetables.

Thus, the method of the invention provides an effective alternative and complies with environmental rules for the use of phosphoric acid usually used in these conditions. More specifically, the present invention provides a phosphoric acid replacement product for cleaning, in particular for the removal of scale, especially oxalates, said substitute being biodegradable, less toxic to the environment, more efficient and can be used in smaller quantities, while ensuring comparable or even higher efficiency.

More particularly, the use of at least one alkane-sulfonic acid according to the invention allows the elimination of all types of soiling encountered. in the distribution chain of meat and vegetables, from the producer to the consumer, including soils such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, starch, inorganic minerals such as calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, and other types of scale comprising oxalates, sulphates, hydroxides and / or sulphides of alkali or alkaline earth metal, whether or not combined with various organic materials and / or metals, metalloids. The use according to the present invention is particularly effective for the removal of scale, including alkaline or alkaline earth oxalates, and other residues encountered in the field of packaging, storage, transport and distribution of meat and vegetables. early vegetables, in particular vegetables and fruits.

Among the alkaline or alkaline earth oxalates, mention may be made of, preferably and not limited to, sodium and calcium oxalates, and especially calcium oxalate. [0023] "Primeurs" means in particular fresh fruits and vegetables that are harvested, stored, transported, handled, put on sale on the markets, in hypermarkets, etc. for their consumption. More specifically, the first fruits are fruits and vegetables, and other vegetable products, among which we can mention apples, pears, apricots, cherries, peaches, brugnons, melons, tomatoes, beans, small peas, carrots, potatoes, salads, spinach, endives, squash, zucchini, aubergines, turnips, celery, leeks, and others, preferably salads. By "meat", within the meaning of the present invention, is meant meat products generally from slaughterhouses and which are then cut, sliced, chopped, stored, transported, handled, and then put on sale on the markets, in the hypermarkets, etc. for their consumption. More specifically, meat products come from cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry, especially turkeys and chickens. The use of at least one alkane-sulfonic acid is particularly advantageous for cleaning the various containers, barrels, containers, chains conveyers and others in more or less prolonged contact with meat and vegetables, especially salads, lettuce, escarole and others.

The primers undergo in fact many handling operations, from harvest to final consumer, and are stored for longer or shorter periods in containers, containers, drums, and other utensils that can be composed of various materials, among which mention may be made of stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, steel coated or not, for example by an epoxy resin, plastic, in particular polypropylene, polyethylene, poly (chlorine), vinyl), glass, and others. In contact more or less extended meat and early vegetables, containers, drums, and other utensils are soiled by the various types of soiling, it should be eliminated for obvious reasons of hygiene and food safety , as indicated above.

In the present invention, the term "alkane-sulphonic acid" is understood to mean alkane-sulphonic acids comprising a saturated hydrocarbon chain, linear or branched, containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

The alkane-sulphonic acids that can be used in the context of the present invention are especially chosen from methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, n-propane-sulphonic acid and / / propane acid. sulfonic acid, n-butanesulfonic acid, tert-butanesulfonic acid, sec-butanesulfonic acid, tert-butanesulfonic acid, and mixtures of two or more of between them in all proportions.

According to a preferred embodiment, the alkane-sulphonic acid used in the context of the present invention is methanesulfonic acid or ethanesulfonic acid, so that the acid used is preferably methanesulfonic acid.

Thus, the use according to the present invention implements at least one alkane-sulphonic acid chosen from linear or branched chain alkane-sulphonic acids containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and preferably from at least 1 carbon atoms. methanesulfonic acid (AMS). Any type of formulation comprising at least one alkanesulfonic acid may be suitable. As a general rule, the formulation comprises from 0.1% to 100% by weight of alkanesulfonic acid, more generally from 0.5% to 90% by weight, in particular from 0.5% to 50% by weight of alkanesulphonic acid, and more particularly from 0.5% to 35% by weight.

The formulation is for example an aqueous formulation that can be prepared as a concentrated mixture which is diluted by the end user. Alternatively, the formulation may also be a ready-to-use formulation, i.e., it does not need to be diluted. It is possible, for example, to use methanesulphonic acid in aqueous solution sold by Arkema under the name Scaleva ™, ready for use or diluted with water in the proportions indicated above.

According to a quite preferred variant, the formulation is a formulation in the form of a gel. It has indeed been observed that formulations in the form of alkane-sulphonic acid gel (s) are very effective for industrial cleaning, not only because of the gel itself which allows a longer action of the active ingredient acid ( the gel "adheres" longer to the surfaces, with respect to an aqueous formulation), but also has an improved cleaning power, compared to other gel formulations, for example formulations in the form of phosphoric acid gel.

The improved cleaning power of a formulation in gel form of at least one alkane-sulfonic acid is particularly remarkable in the case of descaling, in particular for the removal of oxalates, such as those that can be removed. meet in the fields of meat and early vegetables, especially for the removal of oxalate-type soiling in the various containers, drums and other containers used for the processing, packaging, storage and distribution of meat and vegetables. early vegetables, especially fruits and vegetables, especially turkeys, poultry and salads. [0036] Thus, according to another aspect, the present invention relates to a gel form formulation comprising: From 0.5% to 90% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 50% by weight and more particularly from 0.5% to 35% by weight, of at least one alkanesulphonic acid, preferably methanesulfonic acid;

From 0.1% to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 10% by weight and more particularly from 1% to 8% by weight, of at least one gelling agent;

From 0.1% to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 10% by weight, of at least one surfactant; and

• the complement to 100% water.

Gelling agents and surfactants for use in the gel formulations of the present invention may be of any type. The person skilled in the art will know, without particular difficulty and drawing inspiration from the examples which follow, to choose and adapt the nature of the gelling agents and the appropriate surfactants. Some surfactants may act as gelling agents, and in this case the addition of a specific gelling agent is not necessary. Similarly, certain gelling agents may play the role of surfactant, making the addition of a specific surfactant unnecessary.

According to another aspect, the present invention relates to formulations in the form of foaming gel. Foaming gels are indeed particularly interesting because they produce a sticky foam, that is to say an adherent foam, to the walls of the various utensils and appliances to be cleaned, while requiring a lower consumption of cleaning acid active ingredient, and have the advantage of better rinsability, that is to say a simpler and more effective elimination, while requiring a smaller amount of water. Thus, the present invention relates to a formulation in the form of a foaming gel comprising:

From 0.5% to 90% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 50% by weight and more particularly from 0.5% to 35% by weight, of at least one alkanesulphonic acid, preferably methanesulfonic acid; From 0.1% to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 10% by weight and more particularly from 1% to 8% by weight, of at least one foaming agent; From 0 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 10% by weight and more particularly from 1% to 8% by weight, of at least one gelling agent;

From 0 to 10% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 5% by weight, of a solubilizing or hydrotropic agent. From 0 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 10% by weight, of at least one surfactant; and

• the complement to 100% water.

Depending on the field and the method of application, the formulation may be prepared in the form of a concentrate, and therefore with a suitable low viscosity, and then diluted before use until the expected efficiency is obtained, as for the viscosity and the viscosity. foaming power.

In the foaming gel formulation according to the invention, the gelling agents and surfactants are generally of the same type as the gelling agents and the surfactants used for the formulations in the form of gel described above, that is to say say any type known to those skilled in the art who will know, without particular difficulty and drawing inspiration from the examples which follow, choose and adapt the nature of gelling agents and appropriate surfactants. As indicated previously, certain surfactants can act as gelling agents, and in this case, the addition of a specific gelling agent is not necessary. Similarly, certain gelling agents may play the role of surfactant, making the addition of a specific surfactant unnecessary.

In the foaming gel formulation above, the foaming agent may be chosen from foaming agents commonly used by those skilled in the art, and preferably from amine oxides, such as, for example: oxides dimethylalkylamine, the alkyl chain is a "fatty" chain, for example containing 10 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 22 carbon atoms, e.g. Empigen OB ^® from Huntsman,

ethoxylated amine oxides, and

- mixtures of two or more of them. The use of at least one ethoxylated amine oxide, such as, but not limited to, Cecajel ^® OX100 from CECA, or Aromox ^® T12 from the company Akzo alone or combination with at least one dimethylalkylannine oxide provides stability to the foaming gel.

The foaming agents, and in particular those described above, generally form gels when they are mixed with water, that is to say that they increase the viscosity of the formulation, without which it is necessary to add a gelling agent. However, the addition of such a gelling agent is not excluded from the present invention.

Among the solubilizing or hydrotropic agents that can be used in the formulations according to the invention, mention may be made, by way of example and in a nonlimiting manner, of sodium xylene- or cumene-sulfonates. Such agents are however not essential in the acidic formulations according to the invention. Formulations in the form of foaming gels can be applied according to any method known to those skilled in the art, and in particular under pressure, or with the aid of a spray gun. The aqueous formulations, in the form of gel or foaming gel of the present invention, may also comprise one or more additives, solvents, and other rheological or textural agents, chosen from solvents and co-solvents (preferably water-soluble , for example alcohols, such as ethanol, n-propanol, and the like), organic or inorganic acids (for example hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric, nitric, amidosulphonic, sulphamic, citric, formic), salts of organic or mineral acids, in particular alkali or alkaline earth salts (for example chlorides, sulphates, phosphates, nitrates, in particular sodium chloride), thickening agents, surfactants, foaming agents, anti-foaming agents, flame retardants, preservatives, disinfectants (for example chosen from , and without limitation, paracetic acid, bromoacetic acid, and the like ...), perfumes, dyes, and others known to those skilled in the art.

An aqueous formulation, or in gel form or in the form of a particularly preferred foaming gel is a formulation comprising from 0.5% to 50%, preferably from 10% to 35%, preferably around 20% by weight. of methanesulfonic acid. The cleaning of the various containers, drums, conveyor chains, and other containers or utensils in contact more or less prolonged with the meat or early vegetables, as indicated above, is achieved by contact (immersion, spraying, spraying) with a an effective amount of at least one alkanesulfonic acid, preferably methanesulfonic acid, in the form of aqueous formulations, preferably aqueous gel or foaming gel, as just described.

This cleaning operation can be repeated one or more depending on the amount of dirt to eliminate, and their incrustations degrees. However, the use of at least one alkanesulphonic acid, preferably methanesulfonic acid, requires only a single cleaning step, especially for the removal of scale, especially oxalates.

This has been particularly true when said at least one alkanesulphonic acid is used in the form of an aqueous gel, more preferably in the form of an aqueous foaming gel. Very good results, however, have been observed with aqueous liquid formulations containing at least one alkanesulfonic acid.

The cleaning step or steps described above may optionally include, be supplemented by, or followed by, one or more disinfection steps, according to conventional techniques known to those skilled in the art, using disinfectant compounds, biocides or any other compound adapted for such use.

The cleaning step or steps and possibly disinfection, may be (or possibly), but preferably followed by one or more rinsing operations, preferably with clear water.

In the process of the invention as just described, the term "effective amount" means an amount allowing the removal of all soils, which, if not properly removed, could promote the development of bacteria. This amount can vary in large proportions, depending on the volume and the number of utensils to clean, the nature and amount of soiling that it is desired to eliminate, from the temperature and pressure of the formulation used, the desired duration of cleaning and the like.

A visual test, various cleaned utensils, according to conventional techniques known to those skilled in the art, used to determine the effective amount of formulation to be used, the temperature and the duration of cleaning necessary for the partial or total elimination dirt. Thus, the amount of acid will be advantageously established to allow total removal of soil, while observing a minimum amount of acid, mainly for economic reasons. The alkanesulphonic acids, in particular the alkanesulphonic acid, have a greater descaling power than phosphoric acid, which makes it possible to use lesser and more environmentally friendly amounts of acids: the effluents (residues, salts and others) resulting from cleaning with at least one alkanesulfonic acid are biodegradable, unlike the phosphoric acid commonly used today which generates phosphates, responsible among other phenomena eutrophication of rivers, streams, and water supplies, such as lakes, swamps, groundwater, etc. The acid cleaning with at least one alkanesulphonic acid as indicated above can be carried out at all temperatures, generally between 0 ^° C. and 150 ^° C., more generally between 5 ° C. and 100 ^° C., typically between 10 ° C. and 100 ^° C. ⁰ C and 80 ° C.

This cleaning with at least one alkane-sulfonic acid is generally followed by one or more rinsing, for example with clear water, in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Depending on the presence or absence of the formulation of a disinfecting agent, an additional step of bacteriological disinfection can take place, according to conventional techniques known to those skilled in the art. With the use of the present invention, the cleaning of various utensils, containers, drums and other containers used in the industry of early vegetables and meat, allows to eliminate in particular scale-like soiling, more especially oxalates.

The present invention is illustrated by means of the examples which follow, without presenting any limiting character, and which can not therefore be understood as likely to restrict the scope of the invention as claimed.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of a methanesulfonic acid gel [0063] A gel containing 10% by weight of methanesulfonic acid is prepared by successively adding, with stirring, water, methanesulfonic acid, the surfactant and the gelling agent, in the following proportions:

• Water: 160.4 g

• Methanesulfonic acid (70% in water, Arkema) 28.6 g • Gelling agent (Cecajel ^® 210, CECA) 8.0 g

• Surfactant (Remcopal ^® LM4F, Arkema) 3.0 g

The gel obtained has a clear, non-spinning appearance. Viscosity is measured on a Brookfield DV II + instrument. All measurements are performed at room temperature. A viscosity of 240 cP at 10 revolutions per minute and 230 cP at 30 rpm is thus measured.

The gel obtained is stable, without observation of phase separation separation after 2 months at 40 ^° C.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of a Phosphoric Acid Gel (Comparative Example) A gel containing 10% by weight of phosphoric acid is prepared by successively adding, with stirring, water, phosphoric acid, the gelling agent and the perfume in the following proportions:

• Water: 174.4 g

• Phosphoric acid (85%) 21.6 g • Gelling agent (Cecajel ^® 210, CECA) 3 g

• Surfactant (NaXS: 40% Na xylsulfonate, Hunstmann) 1 g The gel obtained has a clear, non-spinning appearance. The viscosity is measured as before at 45 ° C. at 10 rpm and 440 cP at 30 rpm. The gel obtained is stable, without observation of phase separation separation after 2 months at 40 ^° C. Example 3: Scaling power

The descaling power is determined by applying the following protocol:

• a marble plate of dimensions 10 x 75 x 150 mm, having a polished face, is rinsed in ethanol and rubbed with a brush; • the plate is then rinsed with running water by rubbing with a brush;

The plate is dried in an oven at 110 ^° C. for at least 1 hour;

• the plate then placed in a desiccator so that it cools without taking up moisture;

• the plate is weighed to the nearest 0,01 g with a scale; • the plate is then fully immersed in the gel to be tested and allowed to soak for 10 s;

• the plate is removed from the gel and suspended by allowing it to drain for 10 minutes;

• the plate is rinsed with running water by rubbing with a brush; The plate is dried at 110 ^° C. for at least 1 hour and then placed in the desiccator to cool without moisture;

• the plate is weighed to the nearest 0,01 g on the same scale;

• the difference in mass (Δm) corresponds to the scale destroyed by frost. The characterization results of the AMS and phosphoric acid gels are compiled in the following Table 1:

- Table 1 -

The descaling power of methanesulfonic acid, formulated in the form of gel at 10% by weight, is greater than the descaling power of phosphoric acid, formulated as a gel at 10% by weight. The methanesulfonic acid is more effective, especially when used in gel form, as phosphoric acid for descaling operations. To this advantage is added that of the biodegradability of methanesulfonic acid, which makes it a replacement product of choice for phosphoric acid for cleaning operations, including descaling, more particularly when formulated in the form of gel.

Example 4: Viscosity and stability tests of gel formulations The gel formulations 4a to 4g are prepared according to Example 1. Their compositions by weight, expressed in grams, are presented in Table 2 below:

- Table 2 -

SCALEVA ™: aqueous solution of methanesulfonic acid at 70% by weight. * CECAJEL 210, a gelling agent, also acts as a surfactant.

The viscosities of the gels 4a to 4g are measured, according to the method described in Example 1 (dynamic viscosity measured in centipoise (cP) at 12 and 30 rpm on a Brookfield DV II + apparatus, at room temperature. ambient) immediately after preparation of the formulation, then 2 months after storage at room temperature. The results are shown in Table 3 below:

- Table 3 -

The above values show, on the one hand, that it is possible to prepare formulations in the form of alkanesulphonic acid gel with various concentrations of active material, and secondly that these formulations in gel form are stable over time.

Example 5: Formulations of methanesulfonic acid in the form of a foaming gel [0077] Foaming gel formulations 5a and 5b are prepared in a manner similar to that used for the preparation of gels. The compositions by weight, expressed in grams, are presented in the following Table 4:

- Table 4 -

^* SCALEVA ™: aqueous solution of methanesulfonic acid at 70% by weight.

The viscosities of the gels 5a and 5b are measured, according to the method described in Example 1 (dynamic viscosity measured in centipoises (cP) on Brookfield DV II + apparatus, at room temperature) immediately after preparation of the formulation. The results are shown in Table 5 below:

- Table 5 -

The above values show, on the one hand, that it is possible to prepare formulations in the form of a foaming gel of alkanesulfonic acid at various concentrations of active material. It has further been observed that these formulations in the form of foaming gel are stable over time.

Example 5: Cleaning tests on meat trays

A piece of beef (about 1 kg) is left for three days in a rectangular tray (aluminum) in a chamber placed at + 3 ° C to atmospheric pressure (cold room). After three days, the piece of meat is removed from the tray. The tray contains various organic and mineral soils, including calcium oxalate determined by infrared spectrophotometry. The test is repeated 3 times. Each tank is then cleaned by contacting the dirt with

250 mL of a cleaning formulation. Each tank is then rinsed twice with

1 liter of water with each rinse.

The cleaning quality is evaluated visually and scored according to the following criteria: 0: no cleaning

+: many remains of dirt

++: some remains of dirt

+++: traces of soiling

++++: no trace of fouling The results are presented in the following table 6:

- Table 6 -

Example 6: Cleaning tests on vegetable bins

A large amount of spinach (about 3 kg), elements rich in calcium oxalate, is introduced into the aluminum water tank where it is stirred back and forth for several minutes at room temperature. The water is then removed and the tank contains various insoluble impurities, including calcium oxalate, determined by infrared spectrophotometry. The test is repeated twice. Each tank is then cleaned by contacting the dirt with

250 mL of a cleaning formulation. Each tank is then rinsed twice with

1 liter of water with each rinse. The cleaning quality is evaluated visually and scored according to the same criteria as those defined in Example 6. The results are shown in Table 7 below:

- Table 7 -

The two previous examples show that the formulations based on alkanesulfonic acid, whether liquid or in gel form, have cleaning properties that are quite comparable to, or even superior to, those observed for a gel formulation. 'Phosphoric acid. These formulations based on alkanesulphonic acid, in particular based on methanesulphonic acid, also have the advantage of being biodegradable and more environmentally friendly, compared to formulations based on phosphoric acid.

Claims

1. Use of at least one alkane-sulphonic acid for cleaning the dirt present in the various containers, drums, and other containers used in the packaging, storage, display and distribution circuits in the field of meat and early vegetables, in particular poultry, fruits and vegetables, said soiling being of scale type, in particular alkaline or alkaline earth oxalates.

2. The use as claimed in claim 1, in which the first fruits are fruits and vegetables, and other vegetable products, among which apples, pears, apricots, cherries, peaches, brugnons, melons, tomatoes, beans, peas, carrots, potatoes, salads, spinach, endive, squash, zucchini, eggplant, turnips, celery, leeks, and others, preferably salads.

3. Use according to claim 1, wherein the field of meat comprises meat products from cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry, particularly turkeys and chickens.

4. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alkanesulfonic acid is selected from methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, n-propanesulfonic acid, so-propanesulfonic acid, n-butanesulfonic acid, n-butanesulfonic acid, sec-butanesulfonic acid, tert-butanesulfonic acid, and mixtures of two or more of them in all proportions.

5. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alkanesulfonic acid is methanesulfonic acid or ethanesulfonic acid, preferably methanesulfonic acid.

6. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alkanesulfonic acid is used in a formulation comprising from 0.1% to 100% by weight, more generally from 0.5% to 90% by weight, in particular from 0.5% to 50% by weight, and more particularly from 0.5% to 35% by weight of alkanesulfonic acid.

7. Formulation in gel form comprising:

From 0.5% to 90% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 50% by weight and more particularly from 0.5% to 35% by weight, of at least one alkanesulphonic acid, preferably methanesulfonic acid; From 0.1% to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 10% by weight and more particularly from 1% to 8% by weight, of at least one gelling agent;

• the complement to 100% water.

Formulation in the form of a foaming gel comprising:

From 0.5% to 90% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 50% by weight and more particularly from 0.5% to 35% by weight, of at least one alkanesulphonic acid, preferably methanesulfonic acid; From 0.1% to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 10% by weight and more particularly from 1% to 8% by weight, of at least one foaming agent;

From 0 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 10% by weight and more particularly from 1% to 8% by weight, of at least one gelling agent;

From 0 to 10% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 5% by weight, of a solubilizing or hydrotropic agent.

From 0 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 10% by weight, of at least one surfactant; and • the complement to 100% water.

The formulation of any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the alkanesulfonic acid is methanesulfonic acid.

A formulation according to any one of claims 7 to 9, comprising from 0.5% to 50%, preferably from 10% to 35%, preferably about 20% by weight of methanesulfonic acid.

A formulation according to any of claims 7 to 10, further comprising one or more additives, solvents and other rheological or texturizing agents selected from solvents and co-solvents, organic or inorganic acids, organic acid salts or minerals, thickeners, surfactants, foaming agents, anti-foaming agents, flame retardants, preservatives, disinfectants, fragrances, dyes, and others.