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Trial Number 5

Trial Purpose:

To evaluate the effectiveness of Lactic acid as a cleaner in conjunction with Lactic acid as a sanitizer in cleaning and sanitizing stainless steel alloys 304 and 316 (in one step as opposed to separate cleaning and sanitizing steps).

Date Run:

08/10/2022

Experiment Procedure:

Six stainless steel coupons were used, three being the 304 alloy and three being the 316 alloy.  The initial weights of each coupon were taken.  The coupons were then soiled with Cedar's Chocolate Hommus by wiping a thin layer, but leaving some chunky spots, and the bottom half of the substrate.  The dirty weights of each coupon were then taken.  Coupons were immersed in the heated cleaner Lactic acid 0.15% (140 F) and put in the ultrasonics machine for 20 mins.  The cleaned coupons were left to air dry for 8 hours. ATP levels were measured using Hygenia ATP Swabs followed by clean weights being taken for each coupon.

Trial Results:

Cleaner Substrate Initial wt of cont. Final wt of cont. %Cont Removed % AVG % Overall
LFE Enzymatic Cleaner Stainless steel 304 0.2979 0.0021 99.30 99.01 98.60
0.3049 0.0032 98.95
0.3226 0.0039 98.79
LFE Enzymatic Cleaner Stainless Steel 316 0.2761 0.0082 97.03 98.19
0.2841 -0.0007 100.25
0.2596 0.0070 97.30

Visually, some chocolate hommus was left on the coupon after cleaning.

ATP Results

Cleaner Substrate ATP Level Avg Overall
Lactic Acid Sanitizer Stainless Steel 304 67 39.67 36.83
    31
    21
Lactic Acid Sanitizer Stainless Steel 316 44 34
    26
    32

Success Rating:

Test showed little or no promise.

Conclusion:

Lactic acid Cleaner 0.15% (1400 F) is not an effective cleaner for removing chocolate hummus from stainless steel alloys 304 and 316.  Lactic Acid 0.15% is not an effective sanitizer when cleaning step and sanitizing step are combined into one step.

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