Title: Efficacy of low-voltage AC for inactivating surface adherent Escherichia coli O157:H7 on beef

Authors: Donna L. Harris; Ajit K. Mahapatra; Baron L. Jones; Govind Kannan

Addresses: Agricultural Research Station, Fort Valley State University, 1005 State University Drive, Fort Valley, GA 31030, USA. ' Agricultural Research Station, Fort Valley State University, 1005 State University Drive, Fort Valley, GA 31030, USA. ' Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech, 3470 Litton Reaves Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. ' College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology, Fort Valley State University, 1005 State University Drive, Fort Valley, GA 31030, USA

Abstract: Experiments were conducted using low-voltage alternating current (AC) to inactivate surface adherent Escherichia coli O157:H7 on beef samples. Beef samples (25 × 25 × 25 mm) were inoculated with E. coli and placed in sodium chloride solution which served as an electrolyte. Electrical current (AC) was applied to the beef samples. Frequencies of 1, 10, and 100 kHz and current intensities of 300 mA (15 mA/cm²), 600 mA (30 mA/cm²), and 900 mA (45 mA/cm²) at treatment durations of 2, 8, and 16 min were investigated. A 2.15 log10 reduction was achieved using a 16 min treatment time with 900 mA (45 mA/cm²) current intensity and 1 kHz frequency.

Keywords: alternating current; beef; efficacy; electrolyte; Escherichia coli; E. coli; food safety; inactivation; log reduction; low voltage AC; nutrition; public health; sodium chloride; surface adherent.

DOI: 10.1504/IJFSNPH.2011.044624

International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health, 2011 Vol.4 No.2/3/4, pp.214 - 224

Published online: 27 Nov 2014 *

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