The simultaneous effect of electromagnetic and ultrasound treatments on Escherichia coli count in red grape juice

Introduction: The thermal pasteurization is a common method for maintaining fruit juice and increasing shelf life, but the thermal processing changes the flavor and color of the products. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a new method of combining heat and ultrasound on the number of the Escherichia coli present in grape juice.Methods: In this study, the effects of the microwave power, temperature, ultrasound power and ultrasonic exposure time were evaluated on E. coli count of red grape juice. In order to determine the microbial inactivation by microwave and ultrasound, E. coli at a concentration of ۶×۱۰۶ per mL was inoculated to red grape juice.Results: The effects of microwave power, grape juice temperature, ultrasound power and ultrasonic exposure time on the reduction of E. coli were significant (P < ۰.۰۵). The model showed that in reducing E. coli the importance of the final temperature of the juice was higher than the microwave power. In addition, the ultrasonic power was more effective in E. coli reduction as compared to the microwave power.Conclusion: Both sample temperature and ultrasonic duration were important independent variables and effective factors on E. coli reduction.