Synergistic ozone and UV light technology for microbial safety in wheat flour
This innovative technology combines ozone, UV light, and water nanobubble treatments to enhance microbial safety in wheat flour, achieving a 99.99% reduction in Salmonella. It's a green, nonthermal solution that can integrate with existing milling processes.
Overview
This solution leverages the synergistic effects of ozone and ultraviolet (UV) light, combined with water nanobubble (WNB) technology, to improve the microbial safety of wheat flour. The goal is to significantly reduce the presence of pathogens such as Salmonella Typhimurium by at least 99.99%. This novel approach is not only effective but also environmentally friendly, utilizing green, nonthermal technologies that require only electricity. The application of reactive oxygen species (ROS) enhances antimicrobial efficacy, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical treatments.
Technical specifications
- Ozone and UV Light Treatment: These technologies, when combined, produce reactive oxygen species that are highly effective in inactivating pathogens.
- Water Nanobubble Technology: When integrated with ozone and UV, it forms activated water nanobubbles (AWNB), enhancing ROS stability and antimicrobial action.
- LED Reactor and Vibratory Platform: Used to expose wheat flour to UV-C, UV-A, and blue light while an ozone generator produces ozone, targeting a 4 log reduction in Salmonella.
- AWNB Soaking: Used in wheat tempering to increase moisture content, enhancing microbial inactivation compared to traditional methods.
Technology readiness level
Currently at TRL 4, this technology has been validated in a laboratory setting. Future plans include integrating it with conventional grain processing methods such as tempering and drying, to optimize its application in commercial milling operations.
About University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a large, comprehensive public research university in Edmonton with multiple campuses and a strong applied research culture. Industry engages through co-located labs and pilot-scale facilities, as well as established co-op and internship programs that place talent with partners year-round. Integration with Alberta’s province-wide hospital system supports clinical research and accelerates translation. Companies also benefit from proximity to regional industry clusters and collaboration hubs on and near campus for joint R&D and prototyping. Supported by NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC, and Canada Foundation for Innovation funding—plus provincial and industry support—the tech transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation with streamlined sponsored-research agreements.
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