Introduction to Food Pasteurization

1
Introduction to Food Pasteurization using
Electronic Irradiation National Center for
Electron Beam Food Research Texas AM University
2
Irradiation
3
What is an Electron Beam Linear Accelerator?
The electron beam linear accelerator uses is an
electricity powered mechanical device designed to
artificially create a beam of energy particles
(electrons or X-rays). This device replaces the
use of radioactive substances that naturally emit
energy particles (protons/gamma rays) during
continuous reaction of atomic energy particles.

4
Examples of radiation emitting electronic products

• Radiation- Rays of energy.
• Examples of radiation emitting electronic
  products
• Television Dental X-ray

5
Radiation Is the Energy! Irradiation Is the
Process!
6
The Language of Food Irradiation

• Electron- Electrons along with protons, and
• neutrons are natural parts of the compounds that
• make up living organisms, including humans.
• Chemically it is a particle that has mass and has
  a
• negative (-) charge that forms a part of all
  elements
• (i.e., carbon, nitrogen, oxygen).

7
The Language of Food Irradiation

• Electron Beam- Stream of electrons accelerated
• to a 99.9999 the speed of light by radio
  frequency
• energies (microwaves).
• E-Beam Food Irradiation- Energy releasing
• electrons collide with the DNA of pathogens
  causing
• damage or destroying the pathogen.

8
The Language of Food Irradiation
Radiation Dose- the measure of effective
energy as food passes through the radiation field
during processing. Accelerated electrons release
energy (ionization) until dissipated. Kilogray
(kGy)- A unit of measure of the effective energy
as food passes through the radiation field. One
Kilogray is equal to 1.5 athletic push-ups
of energy absorbed per pound of product.
9
Electrons damage DNA bonds eliminating harmful
bacteria from meats  sea foods fruits
vegetables spices cooked RTE FDA
petition pending
10
Radura Symbol
Irradiated for food safety.
Irradiated to protect American agriculture from
foreign pests.
11
Electronic Irradiation Process

• uses electricity
• accelerates electrons
• scans product
• makes food safe
• 
  in SECONDS!

12
Irradiated to protect American agriculture from
foreign pests.
Irradiation also inactivates insect pests
(particularly from fruits and vegetables) and
extends product shelf life. .
13
Federal Register October 23, 2002
Docket No. 98-030-4
Irradiation for Fruit Flies and Seed Weevils
in Imported Fruits and Vegetables Scientific
name Common name Proposed
Dose (kGy) (1) Bactrocera dorsalis...............
................. Oriental fruit fly
.25 (2) Ceratitis capitata..................
................ Mediterranean fruit fly
.225 (3) Bactrocera cucurbitae..................
......... Melon fly
.21 (4) Anastrepha fraterculus..................
....... South American fruit fly .15
(5) Anastrepha suspensa..........................
. Caribbean fruit fly .15 (6)
Anastrepha ludens...............................
Mexican fruit fly .15 (7)
Anastrepha obliqua..............................
West Indian fruit fly .15 (8)
Anastrepha serpentina.........................
Sapote fruit fly .15 (9)
Bactrocera tryoni.................................
Queensland fruit fly .15 (10)
Bactrocera jarvisi..............................
(No common name) .15 (11)
Bactrocera latifrons............................
Malaysian fruit fly .15 (12)
Sternochetus mangiferae (Fabricus).... Mango seed
weevil .10
Comparison E. Coli in ground beef 1.50
kGy Salmonella in poultry 2.50 kGy Anthrax
spores in U.S. Mail 30.00
kGy NASA Food for Shuttle Astronauts
42.00 kGy
14
Shelf-life extension of Strawberries
Non-irradiated After 7 days storage
Electron beam irradiated After 17 days storage
15
Texas AM Electron Beam Research Facility
16
Electron Beam Linear Accelerator
17
Electron Beam Animation
18
(No Transcript)
19
Electron Deposition

• Electrons strike natural electrons in the product
  imparting a fraction of their energy into kinetic
  energy of the secondary electrons.
• The DNA of organisms is damaged by electrons
• All the electrons (primary and secondary) then
  suffer additional collisions until all their
  energy is dissipated by ionization.

20
Questions
21
Consumers are already buying irradiated products!

• Band-Aids
• Pet Treats
• Cosmetics
• Baby Bottles
• Computer Chips
• Feminine Products
• Baby Diapers
• Wound Care
• 50 of all medical devices
• Animal vaccines

22
Current food applications

• Spices, herbs, dehydrated vegetables and
  seasoning mixtures
• Strawberries
• Papayas
• Mangos
• Potatoes
• Mushrooms

23
More irradiated consumer products!

• Contact lenses
• Surgical gloves
• Surgical gowns
• Sutures
• Fetal probes
• Baby bottle nipples
• Contact lens cleaning solution
• Tongue depressors
• Eye droppers ointments
• IV administration kits
• Petri dishes

24
Comparisons of Dosage

• US Mail Anthrax spores
• 60 - 120 kGy
• Beef E coli O157H7 1.25 -
  1.50 kGy