An official website of the United States government.
This project is to control the pathogenic bacteria of E. coli 0157:H7 on beef surfaces from application of low current electric pulse through a thin film of electrolyte on the surface of beef.
<p>
<ol> <li>Determine the electrical properties of beef tissues relating to grain direction, length, and cross-sectional area;
<li>Determine the reductions of E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria on beef surfaces from treatments of low current electric pulse through thin films of electrolyte solutions on the surface of beef; and the effects of treatment durations, frequency, duty cycles, types of waves, and current levels on bacterial pathogens;
<li>Determine and analyze the mechanisms of microbial inactivation with low current electric pulse and thin-film electrolyte solution through an imaging and high-magnification system;
<li>Determine if there are any sensory changes due to the treatment with low current electric pulse and thin-film electrolyte solution for control of E. coli 0157:H7 on beef surfaces;
<li>Build a laboratory scale unit with the optimum equipment and parameters of electric pulse signal to do pilot tests.</ol>
We will develop an innovative method and a laboratory scale unit for control of E. coli 0157:H7 on beef surfaces from treatments of low current electric pulse through thin films of electrolyte solutions on beef surfaces.
<p>
The project was funded for just about two months. The experimental systems are being set up. Some necessary materials and equipment have been purchased. We are in process to hire two research professionals to work on this project.
<p>
The impact of the successful application of domestic electricity to destroy pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 cells on beef surface would be enormous. The technology could be applied to practical purposes. Suitable application technology could be devised easily using the principles of this research and possibly the technology could be extended to other meat and meat products as well.