Surface disinfection in meat processing

Research project “Hygiene improvements in meat processing by utilization of photocatalytic effects for the disinfection of surfaces”

An extremely high hygiene standard is required in the meat industry. There is always the risk that undesired microorganisms migrate into the processing chain via raw materials or during handling steps such as cutting and portioning. In order to ensure the quality, safety and shelf life of the final products, any accompanying measure leading to a reduced germ count is appreciated.

One innovative method for disinfection is the targeted use of photochemical effects on surfaces. For that, surfaces are coated with a specific titanium dioxide compound and exposed to UV-light. This leads to the formation of oxygen and hydroxyl radicals which have an antimicrobial effect. This effect is already used in the industry, however, not yet with food contact materials in meat processing.
 
Within the scope of the two year research project “Hygiene improvements in meat processing by utilization of photocatalytic effects for the disinfection of surfaces”, long term stable titanium dioxide coatings for surfaces in the food industry should be developed. Added to that, the antimicrobial effect should be optimized in terms of process technology and constructional design of the involved UV-light exposure. The research project focused on four different types of coating processes.
 
With the application of a detailed physical and microbial analysis, including the development and establishment of a specific test system, is was possible to improve the photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide coated surfaces significantly by modification of the coating and type of pre-treatment. The coating with a binding system yielded the best results during the entire project.
 
Altogether, a coating was applied to metal surfaces which showed a satisfactory stability in practical tests and a convincing activity in the methylene blue test used as control method. The results of the study indicated that the photocatalytic effect generated this way is rather suitable for a long term and permanent sterilization. Possible application areas of this coating would be hard to access areas inside of machines and equipment. This type of application in the factory also aims at a disinfection during the production which may contribute to a constant hygiene improvement. Due to the resulting improved product safety lesser personnel may be needed for quality management and the overall performance of the entire company increased.
 
Coated plastic surfaces are also of high interest in the food industry. Results from present tests of plastic samples already indicate that the antibacterial effect can also be achieved on these surfaces with a titanium dioxide coating. Further research and application possibilities could be pursued more intensely in a different project.

The present project was supported within the scope of the “program for promoting joint industrial research (IGF)” by the Federal Ministry for Economy and technology (via AiF) through the Research Association of the Food Industry (FEI) (AiF project no249 ZN, term 2007-2009).

Next to the DIL as research body, the FGK research institute for inorganic materials - glass/ceramics (Höhr-Grenzhausen) was involved as second research body. From the industry side, the Bundesverband der Deutschen Fleischwarenindustrie e.V. (BVDF, Bonn), the VDMA Fachverband Nahrungsmittel- und Verpackungsmaschinen (Frankfurt) and the Forschungskuratorium Maschinenbau e. V. (FKM, Frankfurt) participated in this project.

Contact partner at DIL is:

Dr.-Ing. Helmut Steinkamp
Manager - Safety Division

Phone +49 (0)54 31.183 – 135
Fax +49 (0)54 31.183 – 114
E-Mail: h.steinkamp@dil-ev.de

For further information, please refer to the project abstract.

Download Kurzbericht