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Commercialization of Pulsed Electric Field and Other Nonthermal Processing Technologies

Objective

<OL> <LI> Establish the safety of the PEF process for fruit juices using laboratory and pilot plant equipment at ERRC. <LI>Jointly design and scale up the PEF process for pasteurization of orange juice based beverages at a flow rate up to 10,000 L/h. <LI> Jointly establish the PEF processing parameters to obtain 5 log reductions of pathogens of concern in a wide range of fruit juices, drinks and nectars, under AMC's processing conditions.

More information

Approach: ARS scientists will work closely with AMC Group to research and scale-up, for commercialization, PEF technology for pasteurization of fruit juices in the European market place. The scaled-up PEF process will provide published test data for our regulatory agencies such as the FDA to obtain baseline process information related to pasteurization, safety, quality and shelf life of PEF processed products. Such information is needed to further commercialize the PEF process in the U.S. market place. ARS' goal is to enhance the safety of our food supplies while maintaining the quality, nutrition and functionality of the products.

<P> PROGRESS: 2009/10 TO 2010/09
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) 1. Establish the safety of the PEF process for fruit juices using laboratory and pilot plant equipment at ERRC. 2. Jointly design and scale up the PEF process for pasteurization of orange juice based beverages at a flow rate up to 10,000 L/h. 3. Jointly establish the PEF processing parameters to obtain 5 log reductions of pathogens of concern in a wide range of fruit juices, drinks and nectars, under AMC's processing conditions. Approach (from AD-416) ARS scientists will work closely with AMC Group to research and scale-up, for commercialization, PEF technology for pasteurization of fruit juices in the European market place. The scaled-up PEF process will provide published test data for our regulatory agencies such as the FDA to obtain baseline process information related to pasteurization, safety, quality and shelf life of PEF processed products. Such information is needed to further commercialize the PEF process in the U.S. market place. ARS' goal is to enhance the safety of our food supplies while maintaining the quality, nutrition and functionality of the products. Twenty non-pathogenic bacteria were tested as potential surrogate organisms for E. coli O157:H7 treated in orange juice by pulsed electric field. Non-pathogenic E. coli 35218 most closely resembled the inactivation curve of E. coli O157:H7. Treatment conditions of 55C and 28 kV/cm for 75 micro-seconds resulted in inactivation of 4.0 log CFU/ml and 100% injury of survivors of both bacteria. There were no research activities for this project since last year as requested by AMC group to preserve the fund. Both parties agreed to terminate this agreement on 5/31/2010. The remaining funds will be returned to AMC group. Communications were through emails and telephone calls.

Investigators
Zhang, Howard
Institution
USDA - Agricultural Research Service
Start date
2007
End date
2010
Project number
1935-41000-092-01
Accession number
412812