UV-C irradiation of freshly squeezed grape juice and modeling inactivation kinetics

Abstract

UV inactivation kinetics of freshly squeezed turbid white grape juice (FSTGJ) treated with an annular flow UV reactor by applying UV dosages ranging from 0 to 116.7J/mL, at three different flow rates (0.90, 1.75 and 3.70mL/s), were modeled by using log-linear, Weibull, Hom and modified Chick-Watson models. FSTGJ was circulated five times in the UV system, i.e., UV exposure time was 20.33min during processing. The populations of Escherichia coli K-12, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and foodborne yeasts were reduced by 3.759, 4.133 and 1.604log cfu/mL, respectively, after exposure to UV dosage of 116.7J/mL at the lowest flow rate. The inactivation kinetics of foodborne yeasts were best described by the modified Chick-Watson model, with the least root mean squared error (RMSE=0.001, R2=0.999). Besides, the inactivation kinetics of E.coli K-12 and LAB were best fitted by Weibull model (R2=0.999). Additionally, when the UV exposure time was increased up to 32.5min (i.e., eight cycles), UV-C treatment of FSTGJ resulted in 5.341log cfu/mL reduction in E.coli K-12, which meets the Food and Drug Administration requirement of a 5log reduction of microorganisms in fruit juices. Practical Applications Consumer demand for high-quality fruit juice with fresh-like characteristics has markedly expanded in recent years. UV-C irradiation is a nonthermal method and allows the processing of fruit juices with a minimal or no changes in flavor, essential nutrients and vitamins. Although thermal pasteurization is the most convenient way of increasing the shelf life of fruit juices, it causes a "cook taste" in grape juice. So, in this study, the application of UV-C irradiation to process grape juice was investigated. The shape of the microbial inactivation curve is sigmoidal in UV treatment. Therefore, different kinetic models (e.g., log-linear, Weibull, Hom and modified Chick-Watson) are applied to describe the inactivation kinetics of Escherichia coli K-12, lactic acid bacteria and foodborne yeasts. Kinetic parameters (e.g., k and D) and models can be used for the development of UV-C irradiation process to ensure microbial safety in juice products.