A-A-50193 Ethylene Absorber/Shelf-Life Extender Blanket, Potassium Permanganate, for Fresh Fruits and VegetablesThis commercial item description CID covers a porous fabric blanket containing ethylene-absorbing material. The blanket is intended to extend the shelf-life of fresh fruits and vegetables when it is used in their storage.

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A-A-50193B

2.3 Performance.

2.3.1 Moisture analysis. Analysis for moisture shall be made in accordance with the latest edition of the "Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International":

Test	Source	Method
Moisture	Chapter: Cereal foods	Air oven method
	Section: Wheat flour

2.3.2 Potassium permanganate. The absorbing material shall have a minimum content of 4 percent KMnO4 by weight to provide adequate capacity for ethylene removal. The determination for weight percentage of KMnO4 shall be as follows:

a. Prepare a standard KMnO4 solution by mixing 0.100 gram (g) KMnO4 in 100 milliliters (mL) of water and then dilute it 20-fold (1 volume of KMnO4 solution plus 19 volumes of water). This will produce a concentration of 0.005 percent by mass of KMnO4.

b. Read the absorbency of the KMnO4 solution on a spectrophotometer at 525 nanometers against water as the blank (Astd).

c. With a mortar and pestle, pulverize the absorbing material into a fine powder. Mix 1 g of the powder with 100 mL of water in a flask and stir gently for 10 minutes. Filter an aliquot of the solution.

d. Dilute the absorbing material solution 10-fold and read the absorbency at 525 nanometers (Asample).

e. Determine percentage using the formula:

Percent KMnO4 = (Asample/Astd) x (0.005 mass %) x 1000

3. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Recovered materials. The offeror/contractor is encouraged to use recovered materials to the maximum extent practicable, in accordance with paragraph 23.403 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).

3.2 Material safety data sheet (MSDS). A MSDS shall be furnished in accordance with

FED-STD-313, "Material Safety Data, Transportation Data and Disposal Data for Hazardous Materials Furnished to Government Activities", and 29 CFR 1910.1200, "Hazard Communication".

3.3 Hazard warning label. An Occupational Safety and Health Administration hazard warning label shall be furnished in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1200.

4. PRODUCT CONFORMANCE PROVISIONS

4.1 Responsibility for inspection. The contractor is responsible for the performance of all inspections, examinations, and tests.