PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION USING A BATCH FLOW PROCESS TO DETERMINE BACTERIA DESTRUCTION BY MICROWAVE-ENERGY AT LOW-TEMPERATURE

This paper reports on a batch flow process to substantially reduce bac teria in which microwave energy is instantly and simultaneously applie d to the system and removed by a cooling tube within the process line in the microwave. A logarithmic cycle reduction of 3 (3 log Kills) was realized for Pediococcus sp. in water, 100 g/L sugar solutions and br ine solution, and 2 log reductions in cells in apple juice. The temper ature of the process fluid was maintained at a nominal 35 degrees C or less for a total microwave exposure time of less than 9 min. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.