title: Pulsed electric field inactivation of diarrhoeagenic Bacillus cereus through irreversible electroporation.
abstract: The physical effects of high-intensity pulsed electric fields (PEF) on the inactivation of diarrhoeagenic Bacillus cereus cells suspended in 0.1% peptone water were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The levels of PEF-induced microbial cell death were determined by enumeration on tryptone soy yeast extract agar and Bacillus cereus-selective agar plates. Following exposure to lethal levels of PEF, TEM investigation revealed irreversible cell membrane rupture at a number of locations, with the apparent leakage of intracellular contents. This study provides a clearer understanding of the mechanism of PEF-induced cellular damage, information that is essential for the further optimization of this emerging food-processing technology.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. n.j.rowan@strath.ac.uk
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Rowan
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: MacGregor
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Fouracre
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Farish
mesh_terms: D016863:Bacillaceae Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology*; D004560:Electricity; D018274:Electroporation; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron