Inactivation of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms in a test liquid using pulsed electric fields

Experiments have been carried out to investigate the effect of pulsed electric fields (PEFs) on the inactivation of microbial populations suspended in liquids using nonflowing and continuous flowing test chambers. Electric fields of /spl sim/30 kV/cm, and a pulse duration of 500 ns, were generated f...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on plasma science 2000-02, Vol.28 (1), p.144-149
Main Authors: MacGregor, S.J., Farish, O., Fouracre, R., Rowan, N.J., Anderson, J.G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacteria
Cell membranes
Coaxial components
Disinfection
Electric field effects
Electric fields
Electrodes
Food contamination & poisoning
Food processing
Fungi
Growth kinetics
Inactivation
Liquids
Microorganisms
Organisms
Pasteurization
Pathogens
Populations
Pulse generation
Spores
Sterilization
Temperature
Temperature distribution
Testing
Yeast
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Experiments have been carried out to investigate the effect of pulsed electric fields (PEFs) on the inactivation of microbial populations suspended in liquids using nonflowing and continuous flowing test chambers. Electric fields of /spl sim/30 kV/cm, and a pulse duration of 500 ns, were generated from a coaxial table Blumlein pulse forming network (PFN) and applied to a parallel plate, circular electrode test configuration. Sample microorganisms were grown under standardized conditions and were introduced into test liquids in order to produce known population densities within the treatment celt. The organisms investigated include the mold Aspergillus niger, the yeast Sacckaromyeces cerevisiae, and the bacterial pathogens Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The PEF studies were undertaken at a sample temperature range of 25/spl deg/C-30/spl deg/C, and the effect of the number of pulses on the test microbial population was studied. The results of this investigation showed that the greater the number of pulses applied, the larger the corresponding reduction in microbial cells/spores obtained. With the exception of dormant fungal spores, all of the test organisms were reduced by -3 to 4 log orders after 3000 pulses. The number of B. Cerus cells was reduced by -7.5 log orders after 15 000 pulses, of which 10 000 pulses were applied in a flowing system followed by 5000 pulses in a static system.
ISSN:0093-3813
1939-9375
DOI:10.1109/27.842887