Influence of different factors on the inactivation of Salmonella senftenberg by pulsed electric fields

The influence of growth phase, cell concentration, pH and conductivity of t reatment medium on the inactivation of Salmonella senftenberg by high elect ric field pulses (HELP) was studied. Cells were more resistant to HELP trea tments at the beginning of the logarithmic phase and at the stationary phas e, Microbial inactivation was not a function of the initial cell concentrat ion. At constant input voltage, electric field strength obtained in the tre atment chamber depended on medium conductivity. At the same electric field strength, conductivity did not influence S. senftenberg inactivation. At th e same conductivity. inactivation of S, senftenberg was bigger at neutral t han acidic pH. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.