Decontamination of whole chicken carcasses by using a pilot-scale pulsed UV-light system

Nene M. Keklik, Ali Demirci, Randall G. Bock

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pulsed UV-light is a novel technology, which is designed to inactivate microorganisms on surfaces in very short times. In this study, a pilot-scale pulsed UV-light system was designed, built, and evaluated for its effectiveness on the microbial load of whole chicken carcasses. Pulsed UV-light system consists of a total of four 40.64 cm (16 in) lamp housings facing each other in series, and a linear rail mounted along the midpoint of the chamber roof. Each chicken surface was sprayed with E. coli K12 inoculum and treated at approximately 5 cm from the quartz window of the lamp housing on each side. The treatment times of 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, and 180 s were selected, based on the time each chicken would spend in one set of the systems. The log10 reductions ranged from 0.87 to 1.43 CFU/ml rinse solution after 30-s and 180-s treatments, which correspond to the actuator velocity of 18 and 13 cm/min, respectively. Energy levels for the lamps ranged from 0.24 to 0.25 J/pulse/cm2. Sample temperatures increased significantly (p<0.05) with longer treatment times; and the temperatures ranged from 11.1 to 44.1°C. CIELAB color parameters of carcasses after 45, 90, and 180-s treatments were determined. A significant (p<0.05) decrease in L* value and increase in b* value was observed after 90s and 180-s treatments, while a* value did not change significantly (p>0.05) after treatments. The optimum treatment time was identified as 45-s treatment, which resulted in ∼1 log10 reduction (90% reduction). Overall, the pilot-scale pulsed UV-light system was successfully designed and tested in this study to demonstrate the potential of pulsed UV-light treatment to decontaminate the surfaces of chicken carcasses without the use of chemicals.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2010, ASABE 2010
PublisherAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
Pages1625-1641
Number of pages17
ISBN (Print)9781617388354
StatePublished - 2010

Publication series

NameAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2010, ASABE 2010
Volume2

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)

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