title: Assessment of microwave sterilization of foods using intrinsic chemical markers.
abstract: The uniformity of microwave processing was investigated by measuring the formation of intrinsic chemical markers in disc-shaped and cylindrically-shaped whey protein gel model systems. These markers are formed as a result of thermally induced reactions of sugar and protein precursors. They were measured in samples placed in a pressurizable Teflon vessel and microwave heated to different peak temperatures using different power levels. Heating uniformity was mapped by sectioning the sample and analyzing for markers. The destruction of B. stearothermophilus spores in alginate beads was correlated with marker formation. The results show that the markers can be used to assess sterility and spatial time-temperature distributions in solid food samples.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92840, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Taub
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis / Q000528:radiation effects; D002417:Cattle; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005511:Food Handling; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005632:Fructose / Q000032:analysis / Q000528:radiation effects; D005782:Gels; D001411:Geobacillus stearothermophilus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000528:radiation effects; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis / Q000528:radiation effects; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis / Q000528:radiation effects; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000032:analysis / Q000528:radiation effects; D012266:Ribose / Q000032:analysis / Q000528:radiation effects; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000528:radiation effects; D013242:Sterilization; D013997:Time Factors; D000067816:Whey Proteins
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D015415:Biomarkers; D002241:Carbohydrates; D005782:Gels; D008894:Milk Proteins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D000067816:Whey Proteins; D005632:Fructose; D012266:Ribose; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D005947:Glucose