U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Food Safety and Intervention Technologies Research: Wyndmoor, PA
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        


                    About ERRC
                        Greetings from the Director
                                    Directions/Lodging
                                    History and Accomplishments
                    Our Work
                        Biomass Pyrolysis Research
                                    IPMP 2013
                                    IPMP Dynamic Prediction
                                    IPMP Global Fit
                                    Pathogen Modeling Program (PMP)
                                    Predictive Microbiology Information Portal (PMIP)
                                    PoultryFARMSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Northeast Area Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania Eastern Regional Research Center Food Safety and Intervention Technologies Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Lacombe, Alisonitem
                                            Niemira, Brendanitem
                                            Gurtler, Joshuaitem
                                            Boyd, Glennitem
                                            Sites, Josephitem
                                            Fan, Xuetongitem
                                            CHEN, HAIQIANG - University Of Delaware
  Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
                                    Publication Type: Abstract Only
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 2/5/2014
                                    Publication  Date: 6/21/2014
                                    Citation: Lacombe, A.C., Niemira, B.A., Gurtler, J., Boyd, G., Sites, J.E., Fan, X., Chen, H. 2014. Effects of nonthermal atmospheric cold plasma on blueberry native microbiota and sensory attributes. Meeting Abstract. , IFT Annual meeting., New Orleans, LA., June 21-24,2014., Volume 1, Page 1.Interpretive Summary:
                                Technical Abstract: Nonthermal processing interventions are important steps in decontaminating and/or preserving fresh fruits, such as blueberries. Cold plasma (CP) is a novel nonthermal technology potentially useful in food processing settings. The objectives of this work were to determine CP reduction of blueberry background microbiota (potential spoilage microorganisms), and impact of CP on color, firmness, and anthocyanins. 

Blueberries (10g) were weighed into sterile 4 oz. glass jars. Samples were treated with atmospheric CP for 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, or 120 seconds at a working distance of 7.5 cm (from what?) with a mixture of 4 cubic feet/minute (cfm) of CP jet and 7 cfm of room temperature air. Temperature readings were taken with an infrared camera prior to and following CP treatments. Blueberries were sampled for total aerobic plate count (APC) and yeast/molds immediately after treatment and after storage for 1, 2, and 7 days at 4 degrees C. In addition, blueberries were analyzed for compression firmness, surface color, and total anthocyanins, immediately after each treatment. 

CP resulted in significant (P < 0.05) reductions of APC on treated berries. Immediately after treatment, a 90 seconds exposure resulted in a 1.6 log CFU/g reduction.   After 1 day, APC on berries treated for 30s was approximately 1 log CFU/g lower than the control.  After 7 days, the shortest CP treatment (15s) resulted in a microbial suppression of 2 log CFU/g. Treatments longer than 60 seconds resulted in significant reductions in firmness and the 120 seconds treatment reduced total anthocyanins and color (L, a, and b).

These results indicate that treatments with CP can inactivate potential spoilage microorganisms on blueberries without adversely impacting sensory attributes. Processors of berries will be able to use optimized CP treatments to improve the freshness, safety, and quality of these commodities.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov