Non-thermal techniques and the “hurdle” approach: How is food technology evolving?

The germicidal effectiveness of UV light stems from its ability to initiate chain reactions within cellular structures, leading to DNA damage.

“The germicidal effectiveness of UV light stems from its ability to initiate a complex series of chain reactions within cellular structures, leading to DNA damage [88].”

Ozone is considered a GRAS chemical.

“Due to its ability to spontaneously decompose into oxygen without leaving hazardous residues on foods, ozone is considered a GRAS chemical. It has been approved by the FDA as an antimicrobial agent for direct application to food since 2001 [88].”

Ozone oxidizes amino acids, peptides, proteins, and enzymes by attacking sulfhydryl groups within these molecules.

“The antimicrobial mechanism of ozone involves its interaction with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the cell envelope, converting them into acid peroxides. Additionally, ozone oxidizes amino acids, peptides, proteins, and enzymes by attacking sulfhydryl groups within these molecules [88].”

Ultrasound operates by inducing acoustic cavitation, which releases a significant amount of energy.

“It operates by inducing acoustic cavitation, which occurs when larger bubbles are generated, undergo expansion, and subsequently undergo rapid collapse, resulting in the release of a significant amount of energy [88].”

The antimicrobial mechanism of ozone involves its interaction with PUFAs in the cell envelope, converting them into acid peroxides.

“The antimicrobial mechanism of ozone involves its interaction with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the cell envelope, converting them into acid peroxides. Additionally, ozone oxidizes amino acids, peptides, proteins, and enzymes by attacking sulfhydryl groups within these molecules [88].”

Ozone has been approved by the FDA as an antimicrobial agent for direct application to food since 2001.

“Due to its ability to spontaneously decompose into oxygen without leaving hazardous residues on foods, ozone is considered a GRAS chemical. It has been approved by the FDA as an antimicrobial agent for direct application to food since 2001 [88].”

Ozone spontaneously decomposes into oxygen without leaving hazardous residues on foods.

“Due to its ability to spontaneously decompose into oxygen without leaving hazardous residues on foods, ozone is considered a GRAS chemical. It has been approved by the FDA as an antimicrobial agent for direct application to food since 2001 [88].”