Ozone Removes E.coli from Ground Beef

Posted by Joel Leusink on April 24, 2011 under Ozone News | Be the First to Comment

Research conducted by Ozone Solutions in conjunction with Kraft Science Consulting, and Synergy Environmental proved that gaseous ozone has the potential to be used as an antimicrobial agent against E.coli on ground beef.    Read the abstract to this paper here:
Abstract: The use of gaseous ozone was evaluated as an antimicrobial intervention against Escherichia coli (E.coli) in ground beef.  This research took place in two parts.  Phase 1 initially inspected for color and appearance change due to ozone gas oxidizing the beef.  Phase 2 tested for antimicrobial action due to the ozone against E.coli bacteria.  Ozone treatment to the ground beef showed no color or flavor change at ozone levels that were effective at reducing E.coli in the ground beef. Raw, ground beef inoculated with generic E.coli was treated with gaseous ozone at various levels it was determined that approximately 95.8% of the E.coli in the ground beef was killed when the ozone concentration approached 200 ppm

Read the entire paper here

This preliminary research did show that ozone is effective at rendering E.coli inactive on ground beef.  While additional testing may be necessary, this initial research has laid the groundwork for a potentially new application of ozone and a method of removing E.coli from ground beef without adding water in the process.

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