ARS | Publication request: PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF RADIO PASTEURIZATION

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: July 31, 2002
Publication Date: July 31, 2002
Citation: Geveke, D.J., Brunkhorst, C., Kozempel, M.F. 2002. Preliminary results of radio pasteurization. American Society of Agricultural Engineers Annual International Meeting, July 28-31, 2002, Chicago, Illinois. Paper 026005.

Technical Abstract: Radio frequency energy was investigated as a nonthermal alternative to thermal pasteurization. Two RF power supply systems were assembled and provided frequencies in the range of 20 kHz to 27 MHz. Electric field strengths of 14 to 30 kV/cm were applied to suspensions of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in water over a temperature range of 28 to 55 degrees C. The flow rate was 1.2 l/min and the number of exposures to the fields ranged from 1 to 30. The population of S. cerevisiae was reduced by >5 log following 30 exposures to a 100 kHz, 25 kV/cm field at 28 degrees C. Increasing the field strength and temperature, as well as decreasing the frequency enhanced inactivation. These preliminary results of radio pasteurization, RAP, are encouraging and will be used in an effort to extend this technique to bacteria in vegetable and fruit juices.