Dax Airscience launches new disinfection technology
Dax Airscience said its whole room disinfection technology Airsteril is based on dual band UV light. The firm is currently working with a large UK beef supplier on an export contract and trialled the technology on beef carcases earlier this year.
The trial was conducted on two identical chillers, one of which was fitted with the Airsteril technology. Carcases entered both chillers from the slaughter line, then after 48 hours were removed and swabbed before being quartered and transported to the boning site.
According to Dax, after 48 hours in the treated chiller, bacteria levels had reduced by 90%, while the carcases in the untreated chiller had dropped only slightly.
Two systems
Paul Anderson, Dax Airscience technical director, said there were two types of air treatment systems routinely used in food plants.
In the first, the commercial Airsteril unit is mounted directly into the plant’s air conditioning duct system, a location where most Legionella bacteria form. “When the system is in operation, the Airsteril unit creates an advanced oxidation process consisting of hydroxyl radicals, super oxide ions and hydroxide ions,” said Anderson.
However, if there are no air ducts, wall-mounted units can be fitted, which transmit a disinfecting photo-plasma to all surfaces, which is harmless to staff.
Following the beef processor trial, the company is now seeking a poultry producer to carry out a trial on Campylobacter reduction.
Pathogens
Anderson said the technology had currently been validated for control of pathogens such as Salmonella, listeria monocytogenes, E.coli and staphylococcus aureus as well as mould, yeast and viruses.
Meanwhile, GlobalMeatNews is running a free one-hour webinar, sponsored by Sealed Air, addressing how packaging can prevent spoilage and increase shelf-life on September 29 at 1400 hrs, London time.
Speakers include Dr Peter Muranyi, manager, business unit, food quality and sensory acceptance at the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging (IVV), who will look at advances in anti-microbial packaging.
An overview of developments in active and intelligent packaging will be provided and other topics include ‘when packaging goes wrong’ and ‘optimising packaging to maximise shelf-life’.
For more information and to register, log on to http://vts.inxpo.com/Launch/QReg.htm?ShowKey=27074&AffiliateData=News-Web_Edito-PSL15_GMN
