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Application of electrolysed oxidising water as a sanitiser to extend the shelf-life of seafood products: a review

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Abstract

Electrolysed oxidising water (E.O. water) is produced by electrolysis of sodium chloride to yield primarily chlorine based oxidising products. At neutral pH this results in hypochlorous acid in the un-protonated form which has the greatest oxidising potential and ability to penetrate microbial cell walls to disrupt the cell membranes. E.O. water has been shown to be an effective method to reduce microbial contamination on food processing surfaces. The efficacy of E.O. water against pathogenic bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli and Vibrio parahaemolyticus has also been extensively confirmed in growth studies of bacteria in culture where the sanitising agent can have direct contact with the bacteria. However it can only lower, but not eliminate, bacteria on processed seafoods. More research is required to understand and optimise the impacts of E.O. pre-treatment sanitation processes on subsequent microbial growth, shelf life, sensory and safety outcomes for packaged seafood products.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Land and Food, University of Tasmania, Newnham Drive, Newnham, Locked Bag 1351, Launceston, TAS, 7250, Australia

    Fera R. Dewi

  2. Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Churchill Avenue, Sandy Bay, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia

    Roger Stanley & Shane M. Powell

  3. Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Old School Road, Newnham, Private Bag 1370, Launceston, TAS, 7250, Australia

    Christopher M. Burke

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  1. Fera R. Dewi
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Correspondence to Fera R. Dewi.

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Dewi, F.R., Stanley, R., Powell, S.M. et al. Application of electrolysed oxidising water as a sanitiser to extend the shelf-life of seafood products: a review. J Food Sci Technol 54, 1321–1332 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-017-2577-9

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