Variable Frequency and Pulsed Microwaves for Bacteria Destruction

Project manager: Professor Elias Siores

Tel ext: 3501

e-mail address: es3@bolton.ac.uk|

The aim of this research and development is to reduce bacteria count by exposing them to a frequency range and penetrating VFM (Variable Frequency Microwave) energy for a short period of time, under pulsed microwave power conditions. It is envisaged the electromagnetic energy, due to its selective nature, can target bacteria cells and colonies without affecting the food quality, measured in terms of the organoleptic properties i.e. taste, smell, feel etc. This objective will be achieved through experimental studies to discover the effect of the complex relationship between the process input variables, such as frequency range and energy of the VFM irradiation, as well as the exposure time on various bacteria types, shapes and sizes. These studies will identify the optimum variable combinations and provide the fundamental principles to model interaction conditions that guide the microwave destruction of bacteria, as well as predicting the processed bacteria characteristics.

Academic department the project sits within:CMRI