Microbial Inactivation and Electron Penetration in Surimi Seafood During Electron Beam Processing

Electron penetration and microbial inactivation by electron beam (e‐beam) in surimi seafood were investigated. Dose map revealed that 1‐ and 2‐sided e‐beam could efficiently penetrate 33‐ and 82‐mm thick surimi seafood, respectively. Modeling of microbial inactivation by e‐beam demonstrated that 2‐sided e‐beam may control Staphylococcus aureus if the surimi seafood package is thinner than 82 mm. The D e‐beam value for S. aureus was 0.34 kGy. An e‐beam dose of 4 kGy resulted in a minimum of a 7‐log and most likely a 12‐log reduction of S. aureus. Microbial inactivation was slower when frozen samples were subjected to e‐beam.