ETO decay rate studies
A commercial fumigation facility was used for experiments to monitor the rate of loss of ETO from stored spice. This was an autoclave-type pressure chamber, with electronic temperature and pressure control. Samples of ground and whole black pepper were presented in open 25-kg multiwall paper bags (the ground pepper bag had a polyethylene liner). After typical treatment conditions (16 h at 50–55C with 100 g/kg ETO in carbon dioxide at about 3 atm), the bags were sewn closed. Access was gained for sampling after 0, 7 and 14 days by cutting each bag with a scalpel and resealing with adhesive tape. These samples were transported to the laboratory in dry ice (ESR, 1999).