Bacterial membranes: the effects of chill storage and food processing. An overview.
The shelf life of food is extended by refrigeration because the metabolic processes of food-associated microorganisms are slowed by the lowered temperature. Nonetheless, cold-adapted psychrotrophic food-poisoning and food-spoilage bacteria remain a concern because they possess cold-adapted proteins and membrane lipids that facilitate growth at low temperatures. The use of membrane-disrupting novel preservation techniques, such as ultrasound, high hydrostatic pressure or pulsed electric field, offer the potential for an extension of shelf life. This review considers the interacting and potentially synergistic effects of chill storage or mild heat treatment on membrane properties, with the disruptive effects of membrane-targeted physical treatments.
Russell
Nicholas J
NJ
Department of Agricultural Sciences, Imperial College, Ashford, Kent, UK. nicholas.russell@ic.ac.uk
D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005519:Food Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D006874:Hydrostatic Pressure; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014465:Ultrasonics