Contact
Viggó Marteinsson
Research Group Leader
viggo@matis.is
Germicidal effects of UV light on processing line surfaces and pork shelf life / Effect of UV light on microbial contamination of processing surfaces and shelf life of pork products
The antimicrobial effect of UV radiation has been known for a long time, but UV radiation at 254nm (UV ‐ C) causes damage to the genetic material of cells and prevents microbial growth. The use of UV lighting for disinfection has increased, for example in the food industry - where UV radiation can be used to disinfect processing surfaces and food - thereby increasing safety and extending the shelf life of food. This report describes a test of the effect of UV exposure on the processing surface on the shelf life of meat products. The effect of UV exposure on the surface of meat processing - the conveyor belt and cutting board - on the shelf life of pork products was examined. The results of the study show that UV exposure has the effect of reducing the microbial content of processing surfaces. The results regarding the effect on shelf life were not decisive, but indicate that with a clean processing line and UV lighting on the processing surface, the shelf life of pork products from the processing line can be increased.
UV radiation at 254nm (UV ‐ C) causes damage to the genetic material of cells and prevents microbial growth. The use of UV light for disinfection is increasing eg in the food production industry - where UV radiation can be used for disinfection of food production surfaces and foods - and thereby increase food safety and extend product shelf life. This report describes the testing of the effects of UV lighting on surfaces in food processing facility on product shelf life. Effects of UV lighting on process line surfaces - conveyor belt and cutting boards - on the shelf life of pork was examined. The results of the study show that UV reduces the bacterial load on process line surfaces. Regarding the effects on pork shelf life the results were not significant but suggest that cleaner process lines and UV lighting on process line surfaces can increase the shelf life of pork products.
Report closed until 01.01.2014 / Report closed until 01.01.2014