Inactivation of Escherichia coli by ozone treatment of apple juice at different pH levels

This research investigated the efficacy of gaseous ozone on the inactivation of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and NCTC 12900 strains in apple juice of a range of pH levels, using an ozone bubble column. The pH levels investigated were 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0. Apple juice inoculated with E. coli strains (10⁶CFU/mL) was treated with ozone gas at a flow rate of 0.12L/min and ozone concentration of 0.048mg/min/mL for up to 18min. Results show that inactivation kinetics of E. coli by ozone were affected by pH of the juice. The ozone treatment duration required for achieving a 5-log reduction was faster (4min) at the lowest pH than at the highest pH (18min) studied. The relationship between time required to achieve 5log reduction (t_5d) and pH for both strains was described mathematically by two exponential equations. Ozone treatment appears to be an effective process for reducing bacteria in apple juice and the required applied treatment for producing a safe apple juice is dependant on its acidity level.