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The development of an ultrasonic apparatus for the non‐invasive and repeatable removal of fouling in food processing equipment
Author(s) -
OulahalLagsir N.,
MartialGros A.,
Boistier E.,
Blum L. J.,
Bonneau M.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1046/j.1472-765x.2000.00653.x
Subject(s) - sonication , ultrasonic sensor , fouling , biofilm , pulp and paper industry , process engineering , environmental science , biology , chromatography , chemistry , engineering , acoustics , bacteria , membrane , physics , genetics
N. OULAHAL‐LAGSIR, A. MARTIAL‐GROS, E. BOISTIER, L.J. BLUM and M. BONNEAU.2000.A new ultrasonic apparatus operating at a frequency of 40 kHz was developed to dislodge biofilms from food processing equipment in order to assess the effectiveness of cleaning protocols. Sonication conditions to remove biofilms and quantification by ATP‐bioluminescence are described. An industrial meat process was developed at the laboratory level to form a biofilm with industrial characteristics. Our results show that the biofilm removal by sonication during 10 s is reproducible and four times greater compared to the swabbing method (83% removal of fouling material against 20%). Unlike the swabbing method, this ultrasonic apparatus permitted the immediately demonstration of the inefficiency (within 1 min) of an industrial meat cleaning protocol. This apparatus is portable, easy to use and can be operated by unskilled users.