76C-13 |
Antimicrobial treatment of fresh-cut lettues with electrochemically activated water using a lab-scale sprayer |
Y. CHENG1, H. Yang2, B. L. Swem3, C. Ruan, Sr.3, and Y. Li3. (1) Department of Food Science, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road Shenyang, Shenyang, 110161, China, (2) Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Poultry Science Center, O-420, (3) Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of Arkansas Outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with consuming raw, fresh fruits and vegetable in the United States have occurred more frequently in recent years. The strong bactericidal effects of electrochemical activated water (ECAW), or electrolyzed water, have been shown in dipping, rinsing and dipping/blowing treatment of fresh-cut vegetables. The objective of this research was to design and construct a laboratory-scale sprayer and evaluate it for antimicrobial treatment of fresh-cut lettuce using ECAW. Parameters such as speed of conveyer, angle between the chain and level, height and angle of the spray nozzles above the chain, spraying pressure were considered in the design. The sprayer consisted of two conveyors at different angles inside a plastic chamber. The conveyors, made of chain belts, were designed as "L" shape for picking up vegetables and could operate at a speed of 0.4-1.1 m/min. Ten stainless spray nozzles were mounted above the conveyer and could spray ECAW at a pressure of 0-50 psi. The sprayer was evaluated using ECAW treatment of fresh-cut lettuce inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium. The results showed that both E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium were reduced by approximately 2 log after the spraying treatment at 10 psi. and room temperature for 90 sec. The bactericidal efficacy of ECAW spray was higher than the spray with water and the chlorinated water with the same amount of chlorine. This research provides, the information on the design of a sprayer for application of ECAW in produce processing.
Session 76C, Fruit & Vegetable Product: Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
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