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Potential of CO2 laser for food processing: Applications and challenges
Eduardo Puértolas1, Izaskun Pérez1, Xabier Murgui1
1AZTI, Food Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Spain.
Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
|March 17, 2023
Summary
Carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers offer revolutionary potential in food processing, excelling in applications like cooking, cutting, and microbial decontamination due to their water-absorbing infrared wavelength. This review explores CO2 laser technology and its diverse agri-food applications.
Area of Science:
- Food Science and Technology
- Laser Applications
- Agricultural Engineering
Background:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers are highly efficient and powerful tools with infrared wavelengths strongly absorbed by water.
- This property makes them suitable for various food processing applications.
- Over 50 years, CO2 lasers have been explored for numerous food treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current state-of-the-art of CO2 laser applications in the agri-food sector.
- To detail the characteristics and mechanisms of CO2 laser food processing.
- To highlight challenges and future potential of this technology.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of CO2 laser applications in food processing.
- Analysis of published results on various laser-food interactions.
- Synthesis of information on technological mechanisms and outcomes.
Main Results:
- CO2 laser applications include cooking, browning, selective laser sintering, marking, microperforation, cutting, peeling, and microbial decontamination.
- Microperforation enhances mass transfer operations like infusion, drying, and extraction.
- The technology demonstrates versatility across diverse food processing needs.
Conclusions:
- CO2 laser processing presents significant potential to revolutionize the food industry.
- Further research is needed to overcome challenges and fully realize its capabilities.
- Continued development can lead to innovative and efficient agri-food solutions.
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