APPLICATION OF NON-THERMAL PLASMA TECHNOLOGY FOR STERILIZATION OF UHT PACKAGING FILM
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Date
2021
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DEPARTMENT OF DAIRY MICROBIOLOGY SHETH M.C. COLLEGE OF DAIRY SCIENCE ANAND AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY ANAND
Abstract
Sterilized packaging material is a key component in aseptic processing and packaging
of foods. Thermo-plastic polymeric UHT packaging materials such as polyethylene
terephthalate, Ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), Tetra Pak, etc. are being increasingly
used as packaging films for sterilized foods owing to their flexibility, chemical
inertness, transparency, low specific weight etc. Different methods including dry heat,
UV irradiation, infrared light, chemicals like hydrogen peroxide and ethylene oxide,
and combination of these methods are used for microbial inactivation. But these
techniques are not without their limitations. Non-Thermal plasma generated in low
pressure conditions is increasingly finding applications for decontamination and
sterilization of packaging materials in the food industry. Low Pressure Air Plasma
(LPAP) is one such technique. Not much research works have been carried out to check
the effect of LPAP on the pathogens on packaging materials. Hence, this study explored
the potential of using LPAP for sterilization of UHT packaging films as well as its effect
on the viability of food pathogens spiked on the surface of UHT packaging films.