Bactericidal effects of diluted slightly acidic electrolyzed water in quantitative suspension and cabbage tests

Slightly acidic electrolyzed water treatment improves the quality and storage properties of carambola fruit

This study aimed to explore the impacts of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) treatment on the physiology, quality, and storage properties of postharvest carambola. The carambolas were immersed in SAEW with a pH value of 6.0, ORP of 1340 mV and ACC of 80 mg/L. Results demonstrated that SAEW could significantly reduce the respiration rate, inhibit the increase in cell membrane permeability, and delay apparent color change. Relatively higher contents of bioactive compounds and nutritional components, such as flavonoids, polyphenols, reducing sugars, sucrose, vitamin C, total soluble sugar, and total soluble solid, as well as higher titratable acidity were maintained in SAEW-treated carambola. In addition, SAEW-treated carambola exhibited a higher commercial acceptability rate and a higher firmness, but lower weight loss and peel browning index than control fruits. Our results indicated that SAEW treatment achieved high fruit quality and nutritional values, potentially contributing to improve storage properties of harvested carambola.

Bactericidal Effect and Associated Properties of Non-Electrolytic Hypochlorite Water on Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria

This study investigated the broad-spectrum bactericidal activity of non-electrolytic hypochlorite water (NEHW) and detected its hydroxyl radical content compared with that of slightly acidic electrolytic water (SAEW). Based on the results of UV scanning and storage stability, higher hypochlorite content and stronger oxidation were found to be responsible for the stronger bactericidal effect of NEHW. NEHW can achieve 99% bacterial disinfection effect by treating with 10 mg/L available chlorine concentration for more than 5 minutes. At the same time, the storage stability of NEHW was higher than that of SAEW. After 20 days of storage under sealed and dark conditions, the pH value only increased by 7.9%, and the effective chlorine concentration remained nearly 80%. The results showed that NEHW had higher germicidal efficacy and storage stability than SAEW.

Ultrasound-Assisted Slightly Acidic Electrolyzed Water in Aquatic Product Sterilization: A Review

Ultrasound has been confirmed as the propagation process of mechanical vibrations in a medium, with a frequency significantly higher than 20 kHz. Moreover, it has an effect of sterilization on foods. In general, ultrasonic sterilization medium is manifested as a liquid. Ultrasonic treatment technology has certain advantages in aquatic product processing. It is noteworthy that this technology will have better effects of sterilization if used in combination with other treatment methods. Slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) is characterized by high-efficiency broad-spectrum sterilization operation, low cost, and environmental protection, among other properties, and has a positive effect on aquatic product sterilization and preservation. Selecting acidic electrolyzed water with a low concentration coupled with low-power ultrasonic waves for combined sterilization exerts a more potent sterilization effect, and acidic electrolyzed water combined with ultrasonic sterilization is expected to be a potentially environment-friendly alternative. In this study, the sterilization mechanisms of ultrasonic and SAEW methods used both individually and as a synergistic treatment, the effect on microbial growth, and the research progress of the application of the combined effect in the sterilization and refrigeration of aquatic products are reviewed. Furthermore, this study looks forward to the future development trend, with a view to its application in aquatic products, while providing a reference for research and application in the field of processing and safety.

New ultrasonic assisted technology of freezing, cooling and thawing in solid food processing: A review

Solid foods include fish, shrimp, shellfish, and other aquatic products, fruits, and vegetables. These products are commonly used for food freezing, cooling, and thawing. However, traditional freezing, cooling, and thawing of solid food technologies have limitations in quality, such as protein denaturation and water loss in food. Ultrasound-assisted technology has become a useful method in solid food processing due to improved preservation quality of solid food. This paper comprehensively reviews the mechanism and application of ultrasonic in solid food processing technology. Although the application of ultrasound-assisted ultrasound in solid food processing is relatively comprehensive, the energy saving of food cold processing is essential for practical application. This paper analyzes the optimization of ultrasonic in solid food processing, including orthogonal/multi-frequency technology and the combination of ultrasonic and other technologies, which provides new ideas for freezing, cooling, and thawing of solid food processing.