Inactivation of Pichia membranaefaciens in Soybean Paste by Dual-Frequency and Moderate Thermosonication

Jingya Qian1, Shubei Chen1, Shuhao Huo1

  • 1School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China.

Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 27, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Dual-frequency thermosonication effectively inactivates Pichia membranifaciens in soybean paste. This method preserves physicochemical and flavor qualities, offering a promising alternative to traditional heat treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Food Science and Technology
  • Microbiology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Soybean paste quality is often compromised by microbial contamination, necessitating effective inactivation methods.
  • Traditional pasteurization methods can negatively impact the sensory and nutritional attributes of soybean paste.
  • Developing novel inactivation techniques that preserve quality is crucial for the food industry.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of dual-frequency thermosonication (TS) for inactivating Pichia membranifaciens in soybean paste.
  • To assess the impact of TS on the physicochemical properties and flavor profile of soybean paste.
  • To compare the effects of TS with conventional heat treatment on soybean paste quality.

Main Methods:

  • Dual-frequency thermosonication (300 + 300 W, 20 + 40 kHz, 25–60 °C) was applied to soybean paste inoculated with Pichia membranifaciens.
  • The Weibull model was used to analyze microbial survival data.
  • Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to observe cell structure changes.
  • Physicochemical properties and flavor components (GC-MS) were analyzed post-treatment.

Main Results:

  • Thermosonication effectively reduced Pichia membranifaciens populations, achieving a 5-log decrease under various temperature conditions.
  • SEM revealed that thermosonication damaged the yeast cell structure, causing intracellular content leakage.
  • Thermosonication treatment resulted in better retention of physicochemical properties compared to heat treatment.
  • GC-MS analysis indicated an increase in flavor components after thermosonication, particularly at 50°C.

Conclusions:

  • Dual-frequency thermosonication is an effective method for inactivating Pichia membranifaciens in soybean paste.
  • TS treatment preserves the physicochemical and flavor qualities of soybean paste better than conventional heat.
  • Thermosonication presents a viable alternative for microbial control in soybean paste production, enhancing product quality.