In-package cold plasma technology for shelf-stable meat products
Revolutionary in-package cold plasma technology enhances shelf stability of meat products by inactivating pathogens while preserving flavor and nutrients. This minimally thermal process reduces energy use and contamination risks, offering a sustainable solution for commercial sterility.
Overview
The innovative in-package cold plasma technology offers a groundbreaking solution for enhancing the shelf stability of meat products. By effectively inactivating both vegetative and spore-forming pathogens, this technology ensures commercial sterility without compromising the quality attributes such as flavor, aroma, and nutrient density. Operating near ambient temperatures, cold plasma significantly reduces thermal abuse, aligning with consumer preferences for minimally processed foods. Additionally, the in-package treatment minimizes post-process contamination, making it a sustainable choice for food safety.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Cold Plasma Efficacy: Operates near ambient temperatures with strong antimicrobial properties.
- Pathogen Inactivation: Effective against both vegetative and spore-forming pathogens.
- Quality Preservation: Maintains flavor, aroma, and nutrient density by reducing harsh conditions.
- Process Synergy: Can be combined with mild thermal or other hurdles for enhanced safety.
- Sustainability: Reduces energy consumption and lowers contamination risks by treating in-package.
Technology readiness level
This technology is currently at Technology Readiness Level 5, meaning it has been validated in relevant environments. Ongoing validation includes optimizing plasma parameters, applying secondary hurdles, and conducting pilot-scale trials to ensure microbial safety and quality. The process aims to scale for industrial adoption with guidelines for effective implementation.
About Southwest Research Institute
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is an independent, non-profit research organization providing contract research, development, and manufacturing services across biomedical and pharmaceutical development. It supports clients with FDA-inspected CGMP capabilities and expertise spanning process development, analytical and quality control, and scale-up to clinical and manufacturing stages.
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