Non-thermal methods for ensuring the microbiological quality and safety of seafood

Ekonomou, Sotirios I.; Boziaris, Ioannis S.

Abstract

A literature search and systematic review were conducted to present and discuss the most recent research studies for the past twenty years on the application of non-thermal methods for ensuring the microbiological safety and quality of fish and seafood. This review presents the principles and reveals the potential benefits of high hydrostatic pressure processing (HHP), ultrasounds (US), non-thermal atmospheric plasma (NTAP), pulsed electric fields (PEF), and electrolyzed water (EW) as alternative methods to conventional heat treatments. Some of these methods have already been adopted by the seafood industry, while others show promising results in inactivating microbial contaminants or spoilage bacteria from solid or liquid seafood products without affecting the biochemical or sensory quality. The main applications and mechanisms of action for each emerging technology are being discussed. Each of these technologies has a specific mode of microbial inactivation and a specific range of use. Thus, their knowledge is important to design a practical application plan focusing on producing safer, qualitative seafood products with added value following today’s consumers’ needs.

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Jan 14, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jan 17, 2021
• Publication Date: Jan 17, 2023
• Deposit Date: Feb 23, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2023
• Journal: Applied Sciences (Switzerland)
• Electronic ISSN: 2076-3417
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 833
• Series Title: Special Issue Novel Thermal and Nonthermal Technologies for Ensuring the Microbiological Safety and Quality of Food
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020833
• Keywords: non-thermal methods; microbiological safety; sensory quality; fish; seafood; high hydrostatic pressure; ultrasounds; non-thermal atmospheric plasma; pulsed electric fields; electrolyzed water
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10479056
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/2/833
• Related Public URLs: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci/special_issues/Ensuring_Microbiological