Download - The Use of Intra Hydrocare in the Hygienic Stragegy of a Greenhouse 27.07.2013

8/13/2019 The Use of Intra Hydrocare in the Hygienic Stragegy of a Greenhouse 27.07.2013

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Intracare bv 5466 AZ Veghel T +31 (0)413 354 105 [email protected]

Voltawe 4 The Netherlands F +31 0 413 362 324 www.intracare.nlFor practical solutions

Intra Hydrocare

an essential part of the

hygienic strategy in greenhouses

Authors

C. Vulders Regulatory manager

Harm Vogels Account manager

Date 27 July 2013


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Introduction

Background

Many chemicals are used to control the level of microbiological contamination in greenhouses. The

amounts of biocides used is still increasing. This is the result of a growing number of monocultures in

greenhouses that are built as large production facilities in order to be competitive and cost effective.

The risk of diseases which are rapidly spreading through these greenhouses is very imminent. A

continuous awareness and a vigilant hygienic strategy is therefore very important.

Bacteria, fungi and viruses are known plant pathogens causing different diseases. Examples of

harmfull bacteria found in horticulture are the Agrobacterium species, Xanthomonas, Pseudomonas

and Clavibacter, where fungi as Pythium and Phytophthora are known to cause root rot and foot rot, or

Fusarium that forms spores which are difficult to eliminate. Examples of viruses found in horticulture

are the Pepino mosaic virus tomato, cucumber mosaic virus. Note that every type of micro-organism is

unique, has its own structure and working mechanism and therefore also a different susceptibility to

specific types of biocides. For this reason the type of biocide to use should be a balanced choice

based on the type of problems that are occurring. Besides the type of biocide, also the concentration,

contact time, temperature and water quality are parameters of great importance. Every biocide has its

own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore there are this many biocides on the market.

In the recent years, the awareness of risks in food safety, the environmental and human health is

increasing. Regulatory rules and regulations to control these risks are therefore also expanding. As a

result the Biocidal Product Directive/Regulation is now enforced in Europe where biocidal products are

extensively evaluated on efficacy, risk profile and of course the amount of residues of the product

where used (e.g. on plants, equipment or environment). Lately there has been a drive to develop

biocidal products based on mechanisms seen in nature, e.g. mechanisms that are actually seen in

living plants. One of such natural biocides would be hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2), a compound that isused in nature by certain plants to prevent infection of pathogenic bacteria. This would be good base

for a more ‘natural’ biocidal product.


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Hydrogen peroxide

In 1977 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized hydrogen peroxide as the first

antimicrobial pesticide (disinfectant), since then it is registered for the use on ornamental plants and in

fruits and vegetables. It is also registered for the use on stored food. Today, hydrogen peroxide is

used extensively in several of applications in horticulture during different stages of production:

- Disinfection of irrigation.

- Disinfection of hydroponic nutrient solution.

- Sanitizing compost and soil.

- Disinfection seeds and killing seed borne pathogens.

- The production facility, greenhouses, nursery, etc, surfaces, tools equipment utensils and

trays.

Intra Hydrocare

Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent that is however inherently unstable. In the biocidal

product Intra Hydrocare, hydrogen peroxide is used as an active ingredient and it is stabilized with

silver. The combination of silver and hydrogen peroxide is also excellent to disrupt the functions of

enzymes in micro-organisms. The complete cell, including the DNA, is destroyed due to oxidation

when in contact with hydrogen peroxide.

After the reaction of hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2 ) it decomposes to water (H 2O) and oxygen (O 2), which

are both natural and harmless substances. This is next to great efficacy also one of the advantages of

Intra Hydrocare.

Fogging

Since the late 1960 ’s, disinfectants have been applied via thermo-kinetic nebulization, or Thermal

fogging, with great success. Thermal foggers rapidly atomize spray solutions via a combination of heat

and kinetic energy. The fog that is generated by a Pulsfog has all-round disinfecting property, it has

contact with pathogens in the air and thus can kill them, it decontaminate equipment and also disinfect

surfaces. Intra Hydrocare can be used in a fogger.


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Figure 1. The Pulsfogger and a diagram of the thermo fogger and the relating temperatures.

Chemical solutions are pumped from a tank that has been slightly pressurized by the intake. The

solution is injected via these nozzles into the hot, high velocity exhaust. The spray is atomized into

droplets sized as small as 1-50 μm (micron).

Figure 2. Definition of droplet size

Atomization occurs due to both thermal and kinetic energy at the point of injection. The heat gasifies a

portion of the solution, which is condensed as it exits the barrel of the machine when combined with

cooler entrained air and the air outside the barrel. The majority of the solution is shattered by thekinetic energy of the exhaust velocity. Finally this energy propels the fog, with the largest machines, up

to 300 feet from the operator. The result is that chemical solutions can be easily and rapidly applied to

large areas. Not only are surfaces contacted, but the fog remains in the air for long periods of time,

contacting airborne insects and pathogens.


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Measuring treatment efficacy with the Clean Tr ace device

The Clean Trace is a device which gives an indication of all living cells present in a sample. This

includes the complete collection of bacteria, yeasts, fungi, but also plants or human / animal cells from

bodily fluids are living cells. The device measures Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), a well-known

energy-rich substance which is present in all living organisms. ATP is the main energy carrier to

transport energy to cells for metabolic processes. Since it is present in all living organisms, it can

function as an indicator for ‘living’ cells.

The Clean Trace is a useful tool to detect contaminated water and surfaces. In this case high values

would be measured. Low values would on the other hand demonstrate efficacy of a

cleaning/disinfecting treatment.


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Experimental

Description of test

The efficacy of Intra Hydrocare, applied with a thermal fogger, is tested in a greenhouse in the

Netherlands. The efficacy was determined with the Clean Trace device. Details of the experiment can

be found below.

Location: Tielebeek BV

City Someren

Country the Netherlands

Surface 45.000 m2

Height 5 m

Concentration 3% Intra Hydrocare

Type of disinfection Thermo fogging

Date of disinfection 19 June 2013 during two hours

Concentration 4,5 ha is 100 liter Hydrocare.

On different locations the URL value was measured by the Clean Trace measuring device before the

disinfection started.

Experimental scheme:

Date Action

19-06-2013 ATP measurement on different places before disinfection.

19-06-2013 21.00 – 23.00 h disinfection with Hydrocare.

20-06-2013 03.00 opening window to recirculate and ventilate the air.

20-06-2013 06.00 h planting new crop.

20-06-2013 06.00 measurement of ATP after disinfection.


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Results

The results of the measurement are summarized in the table below.

Swab Position

RLU before

disinfection

RLU after

disinfection

Reduction

(%) Remarks

1 Row 325 rail tube front 31480 19304 37

2 Row 325 water system middle 50157 25065 50

3 Row 325 substrate back 50529 20351 60

4 Row 325 window back 8653 1033 88

5 Row 316 window back 11044 1238 89

6 Row 316 rail tube back 29433 9811 67

7 Row 316 substrate middle 38053 4192 89

8 Row 316 drainage front 3616 4639 - Unclear why increase

9 Row 419 substrate front 62907 24788 39

10 Row 419 rail tube middle 35875 16356 54

11 Row 419 drainage back 1055 1012 4

12 Row 419 window back 12892 1435 89

13 Row 432 window back 10364 1750 83


15 Row 432 drainage middle 816 209 74

16 Row 432 rail tube front 42623 69290 - Unclear why increase

17 Row 406 drainage front 1308 143 89

18 Row 406 substrate middle 40729 4317 8919 Row 406 rail tube back 41194 9495 77

20 Row 406 window back 8019 223 97

21 Row 411 window back 10380 453 96





26 Row 488 drainage middle 993 261 74

27 Row 488 rail tube back 41313 14082 66

28 Row 488 window back 6625 304 95

29 Row 494 window back 8907 217 97






35 Row 392 substrate back 85179 56711 33 Dry swab



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Swab Position

RLU before

disinfection

RLU after

disinfection

Reduction

(%) Remarks


38 Row 372 substrate back 29443 7306 75Average RLU reduction 72 %

Figure 4. Harm Vogels investigating in the greenhouse


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Conclusion

Intra Hydocare is effective when applied to a greenhouse in a 3% concentration by thermal fogging.

Results show a decrease in RLU, which is an indication of microbiological contamination present, in 36

of the 38 spots measured and an average decrease of 72% for all spots. Note that these impressive

results were obtained in a greenhouse in which many organic soiling was present (e.g. plant rests,

algae, etc.). Therefore it can be concluded that Intra Hydrocare is an essential part of the hygienic

strategy by reducing the infection pressure and improving hygienic conditions in greenhouses.

Authors

C.A.J.M. (Carly) Vulders Bsc, HvkProduct Development & Regulatory AffairsM. 0031 613 942 297T. 0031 413 354 105E. [email protected]

Harm Vogels Account Manager Horticultura

T. 0031 413 354 105E. [email protected]

Intracare BV

Voltaweg 4 - 5466 AZ - Veghel

The Netherlands

www.intracare.nl

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.intracare.nl/http://www.intracare.nl/http://www.intracare.nl/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Download - The Use of Intra Hydrocare in the Hygienic Stragegy of a Greenhouse 27.07.2013

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