SurePure, a US-based liquid photopurification solutions provider, has introduced a new patented technology – Turbulator – to eradicate alicyclobacillus bacterial contamination in fruit juices and fruit concentrates.
Alicyclobacillus bacteria, found to grow in acidic conditions with the spores able to survive pasteurization procedures, produces a powerful chemical taint in fruit-based drinks that are difficult to control once present in the processing environment.
The alicyclobacillus contamination is difficult to detect as the bacteria do not produce gas but results in consumer complaints and product withdrawals.
Turbulator technology uses ultraviolet (UV-C) light with a wavelength of 254nm and has a germicidal effect against micro-organisms.
This new treatment method was shown to achieve in excess of a 5 log10 reduction (99.99%) per 0.5 kJ L-1 of UV-C dosage in juice, water and concentrates inoculated with A acidoterrestris.
SurePure sales and marketing vice president Steve Miller said: "Our SurePure technology serves as a viable alternative to ineffective thermal treatments of fruit juices and fruit concentrates for the inactivation of Alicyclobacillus spores or in the treatment of contaminated processing wash water."
