High Intensity Pulsed Light Technology

Post-packaging application of pulsed light for microbial decontamination of solid foods: A review

“…Concretely, opaque materials and matrices that may interfere with the light absorption (e.g., inkprinted labels or drawings) should be avoided. Only then light incidence from any direction and uniform decontamination of the matrix can be achieved (Dunn et al, 1989;Elmnasser et al, 2007;Han, 2007;Oms-Oliu, Martín-Belloso, & Soliva-Fortuny, 2010;Palmieri & Cacace, 2005).…”

“…Meaning that, aside from transparent liquids, effect of the PL technology is limited to the surface or uppermost layer of a semi-solid according to its capability to absorb and transfer light (Dunn et al, 1989;Gómez-López, Ragaert, Debevere, & Devlieghere, 2007;Palmieri & Cacace, 2005). Further, the target surface should be as smooth as possible, since vast irregularities and light-absorbing matter constitute a shelter for microbial contaminants and an obstacle for the incident light (Dunn et al, 1995;Gómez-López, Devlieghere, Bonduelle, & Debevere, 2005a;Gómez-López et al, 2007;Lagunas-Solar & Gómez-López, 2006;Palmieri & Cacace, 2005;Sommers, Cooke, Fan, & Sites, 2009). Ultimately, the matrix should contain only low quantities of substances able to competitively absorb light such as fat and protein.…”

“…Despite the fact that the whole spectrum can contribute to the lethal effect accomplished by PL, the high energy-bearing UV range, in particular wavelengths below 270 nm, are of greatest importance (Dunn et al, 1991;Levy, Aubert, Lacour, & Carlin, 2012;Takeshita et al, 2003;Wang et al, 2005;Wekhof, 2000). To achieve a proper decontamination effect, experimental parameters like fluence rate, fluence, number of pulses, pulse width, exposure time, frequency and peak power have to be adapted to the respective situation (BIPM, 2006;Gómez-López et al, 2007;IUPAC, 2007;Lagunas-Solar & Gómez-López, 2006;Palmieri & Cacace, 2005).…”

Energy Requirements for Alternative Food Processing Technologies—Principles, Assumptions, and Evaluation of Efficiency

“…Light‐based technologies include infrared (IR), with wavelengths between 10 and 100 μm, visible (VL) with wavelengths from 400 to 700 nm, and UV at wavelengths from 200 nm to 400 nm, and its application in the form of intense pulses is called pulsed‐light technology (Palmieri and Cacae ). UV is categorized in long‐wave (UVA; 315 to 400 nm), medium‐wave (UVB; 280 to 315 nm), and short‐wave (UVC; 200 to 280 nm) diapasons.…”

The effect of pulsed electric fields (PEF) in combination with high intensity light pulses (HILP) on Escherichia coli inactivation and quality attributes in apple juice

“…It generally involves the use of a xenon flashlamp, which converts electric pulses into short-duration (1 μs-0.1 s) and high power pulses of radiation of a broad emission spectrum, ranging from ultraviolet (200 nm) to infrared light (1100 nm) (Dunn, Bushnell, Ott, & Clark, 1997;Palmieri & Cacace, 2005). The lethal effect on microorganisms is mostly attributed to the photochemical action of the UV part of the spectrum.…”