Method of freezing with brine

Abstract

Improved brine solutions and uses thereof for uncontaminatedly and/or efficiently freezing items such as foods, and biological samples. In accordance with one embodiment, a brine solution containing a sufficient amount of dye in conferring the solution a distinctive color is used in the freezing process. In accordance with another embodiment, a brine solution containing deionized water is used for improving the freezing efficiency and/or freezing capacity.

1 . A brine for freezing an item comprising organic material, said brine comprising a dye for producing a predetermined color in said brine, said predetermined color serving as an indication of contamination of the item by said brine. 
     
     
         2 . The brine of  claim 1  wherein said dye is a food grade FDA approved blue dye. 
     
     
         3 . The brine of  claim 1  wherein the item is packaged, and said predetermined color is distinguishable from the color of said packaged item. 
     
     
         4 . The brine of  claim 1  wherein the color of said brine at a given temperature varies with the composition of said brine so that a determination can be made as to whether the composition of said brine is in compliance with a predetermined requirement, said predetermined requirement comprising a correlation between the color of said brine and composition of said brine at said given temperature. 
     
     
         5 . The brine of  claim 1  wherein the dye visibly changes when said brine absorbs heat from said packaged item during said freezing step, thereby indicating whether said freezing is initiated, in progress, or completed. 
     
     
         6 . The brine of  claim 1  further comprising at least about 0.005% by weight of a cruciferous oil. 
     
     
         7 . The brine of  claim 6  further comprising at least one of water, propylene glycol and calcium chloride. 
     
     
         8 . The brine of  claim 6  wherein the water is deionized water. 
     
     
         9 . The brine of  claim 1  wherein said brine comprises about 0.01% rapeseed oil about 43.18% water, about 44.06% propylene glycol, and about 12.75% calcium chloride. 
     
     
         10 . An improved brine for freezing an item comprising deionized water and at least about 0.005% by weight of a cruciferous oil. 
     
     
         11 . The improved brine of  claim 10  wherein the cruciferous oil is in an amount of 0.005% to about 0.018% by weight. 
     
     
         12 . The improved brine of  claim 10  further comprising at least one of propylene glycol and calcium chloride. 
     
     
         13 . The improved brine of  claim 10  wherein said brine comprises about 0.01% rapeseed oil, about 43.18% deionized water, about 44.06% propylene glycol, and about 12.75% calcium chloride 
     
     
         14 . The improved brine of  claim 10  further comprising a dye in a sufficient amount to produce a predetermined color of said brine.