The bactericidal effect of intense pulsed light (ipl) on fresh-cut bell pepper and ginger

This study evaluated the microbiological quality of fresh-cut bell pepper and ginger, as well as the inactivation effects of intense pulsed light (IPL) on E. coli ATCC 25922 inoculated in the fresh-cut samples by varying the treatment voltages (1,200-2,400 V) and time (1-7 min). The contamination levels of mesophilic bacteria, psychrophilic bacteria, yeast and mold for bell pepper and ginger were 6.64±0.81 and 6.35±1.96 log CFU/g, 6.75±1.13 and 5.63±1.89 log CFU/g, and 4.68±0.43 and 4.57±1.25 log CFU/g respectively. Through the IPL treatment at 2,400 V for 7 min, 2.04 and 2.11 log of E. coli ATCC 25922 inoculated in bell pepper and ginger were reduced, respectively, with a negligible temperature rise (< 2.2°C). Although the reduction rate varied, the bactericidal effect of E. coli ATCC 25922 showed an increase as treatment time and voltage increased. Under the same treatment conditions, temperature increased by 1.71°C and 2.13°C for bell pepper and ginger, respectively. These results demonstrate that IPL is a suitable device for inactivating E. coli ATCC 25922 on fresh-cut bell pepper and ginger.