Apple Juice Preservation Using Combined Nonthermal Processing and Antimicrobial Packaging

This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of pulsed electric fields (PEFs), pulsed UV light (PL), and antimicrobial packaging (AP), either individually or combined, for inactivating bacteria and maintaining the quality of fruit juices. Apple juice samples were inoculated with Escherichia coli K-12 or native molds and yeasts (M&Y), treated with bench scale PEF and/or PL processing systems, and stored in glass jars with antimicrobial caps containing 10 mu L of carvacrol. The reductions in microbial populations and the physicochemical properties of juice samples were determined after treatments and during storage at 10 degrees C. The treatments were PL (5 to 50 s at 1.04 J/cm(2)/s), PEF (19, 23, and 30 kV/cm), PEF followed by PL (PEF+PL), PL followed by PEF (PL+PEF), and PEF+PL+AP. PEF treatments at 19 to 30 kV/cm (PEF19, PEF23, and PEF30) resulted in 2.0-, 2.6-, and 4.0-log reductions of E. coli, respectively, and PL treatments for 10 to 50 s (PL10, PL20, PL30, PL40, and PL50) resulted in 0.45-, 0.67-, 0.76-, 2.3-, and 4.0-log reductions, respectively. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found between the combined PL20+PEF19 and PEF19+PL20 treatments; both treatments reduced E. coli K-12 populations to nondetectable levels (> 5-log reductions) after 7 days. Both PEF+PL and PEF+PL+AP treatments achieved > 5-log reductions of M & Y; however, juice samples subjected to PEF+PL+AP treatment had lower M&Y counts (2.9 log units) than did samples subjected to PEF+PL treatment (3.9 log units) after 7 days. No significant differences (P > 0.05) in pH, acidity, and total soluble solids were found among all samples after treatments. Increased PL treatment times reduced color a* and b* values, total phenolics, and carotenoids. This study provides information valuable to juice processors for consideration and design of nonthermal pasteurization of juice products. HIGHLIGHTS Combined treatments had additive or synergistic antimicrobial effects. Combined treatments achieved.5-log reductions of E. coli and molds and yeasts. Combined treatments did not significantly affect pH, acidity, or total soluble solids. Combined treatments slightly impacted color, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds.