Szeged University
Food Science Technology and Engineering
Subject : Alternative Food processing technologies
OZONE
SAED HABIB ELYAS
1. What is Ozone?
• Ozone (O₃) is a triatomic molecule of three
oxygen atoms.
• Powerful oxidizing agent, stronger than
chlorine.
• Chemical formula: O₃
• Nature: Unstable gas; decomposes to O₂
• Oxidation potential: 2.07 V (higher than
chlorine)(it’s like having strong pulling power to take
electrons away from other molecules.)
2. Mechanism of Action
• Oxidizes cell walls of microorganisms.
• Disrupts cellular structures, leading to
inactivation.
• Targets: Cell membranes, enzymes, nucleic
acids.
• Reactivity: Non-selective, reacts with organic
matter.
🔹 Ozone is used in food processing environments, especially in water-based
systems.
🔹 Ozone breaks down into reactive oxygen species (ROS) like hydroxyl radicals
and superoxide, which penetrate the bacterial cell.
🔹 Inside the cell, these ROS cause major damage: proteins are oxidized and
clump together, enzymes are inactivated, and DNA is damaged beyond repair.
🔹 The bacteria's natural defenses, like the SOD enzyme, are overwhelmed.
🔹 As a result, the bacteria can’t function, replicate, or survive.
3. Applications in Food Processing
• a. Surface Decontamination: Fruits,
vegetables, meat, seafood.
• b. Water Treatment: Disinfection, pesticide
removal.
• c. Storage Atmosphere: Shelf life extension,
mold control.
• d. Food Contact Surfaces: Equipment and
surface sanitization.
4. Benefits of Using Ozone
• Broad-spectrum antimicrobial.
• No chemical residue; decomposes to oxygen.
• Environmentally friendly; no harmful
byproducts.
• Effective in gas and aqueous forms.
• GRAS approved by FDA (2001).
5. Limitations and Challenges
• Instability: Must be generated on-site.
• Corrosiveness: Potential equipment damage.
• Health hazard: Toxic at high concentrations.
• Limited penetration: Less effective on soiled
surfaces.
6. Ozone vs. Traditional Disinfectants
• Property | Ozone | Chlorine | UV Light
• Residue | None | Yes | None
• Oxidizing potential | Very high | Moderate |
Moderate
• Microbial range | Broad | Broad | Limited to
line of sight
• Environmental impact | Low | Moderate to
High | Low
7. Regulatory Status
• USA (FDA, 2001): Approved for direct use in
food.
• EU: Allowed in some sectors (e.g., bottled
water).
• Canada and Japan: Approved in specific
applications.
8. Examples of Use in Industry
• Fruit processors: Washing apples, grapes,
berries.
• Meat plants: Ozone mist or rinse for carcasses.
• Seafood: Ozonated ice for freshness.
• Beverage industry: Sanitizing bottling lines and
water.
9. Conclusion
• Highly effective, residue-free, eco-friendly
disinfectant.
• Ideal for disinfection, shelf-life extension, food
safety.
• Requires careful handling due to instability
and hazards.
References
1. Rice, R.G. (2002). Applications of ozone for industrial wastewater treatment - a
review. Ozone: Science & Engineering, 24(1), pp.47–62.
2. Khadre, M.A., Yousef, A.E. and Kim, J.G. (2001). Microbiological aspects of
ozone applications in food: a review. Journal of Food Science, 66(9), pp.1242–
1252.
3. Restaino, L., Frampton, E.W., Hemphill, J.B. and Palnikar, P. (1995). Efficacy of
ozonated water against various food-related microorganisms. Applied and
Environmental Microbiology, 61(9), pp.3471–3475.
4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (2001). GRAS Notice for ozone used
as an antimicrobial agent. [online] Available at: https://www.fda.gov [Accessed
13 May 2025].
5. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization
(WHO) (2008). Benefits and risks of the use of ozone in food processing. [online]
Available at: http://www.fao.org [Accessed 13 May 2025].
6. Gupta, S. and Tiwari, B.K. (2020). Ozone treatment in food processing:
potential benefits and limitations. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 99,
pp.267–281.
7. Ölmez, H. and Akbas, M.Y. (2009). Optimization of ozone treatment of fresh-cut
green leaf lettuce. Journal of Food Engineering, 90(4), pp.487–494.
8. Moore, G. and Griffith, C. (2002). A comparison of surface sampling methods
for detecting coliforms on food contact surfaces. Food Microbiology, 19(1),
pp.65–73.
9. Agarwal, A., Sharma, A., and Saxena, S. (2006). Ozone disinfection in food
industry: a review. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 109(1-2), pp.1–9.
10. Ozone Solutions (2024). Ozone Applications in the Food Industry. [online]
Available at: https://www.ozonesolutions.com [Accessed 13 May 2025].
11. Oxidation Technologies (2023). Global Regulations on Ozone in Food
Processing. [online] Available at: https://www.oxidationtech.com [Accessed 13
May 2025].
12. Food Safety Magazine (2021). Recent Ozone Applications in Food Processing
and Sanitation. [online] Available at: https://www.food-safety.com [Accessed 13
May 2025].
13. Wang, L., Hu, C., Shao, L., Zhang, C., Xu, Y., Wang, Y. and Ma, X., 2020. Mechanisms of ozone-induced
antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus: role of membrane damage and
oxidative stress. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 412(29), pp.7291–7304. [online] Available at:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00216-020-02810-6 [Accessed 13 May 2025].
THANK YOU

Ozone_in_Food_Processing_Presentation.pptx

  • 1.
    Szeged University Food ScienceTechnology and Engineering Subject : Alternative Food processing technologies OZONE SAED HABIB ELYAS
  • 3.
    1. What isOzone? • Ozone (O₃) is a triatomic molecule of three oxygen atoms. • Powerful oxidizing agent, stronger than chlorine. • Chemical formula: O₃ • Nature: Unstable gas; decomposes to O₂ • Oxidation potential: 2.07 V (higher than chlorine)(it’s like having strong pulling power to take electrons away from other molecules.)
  • 4.
    2. Mechanism ofAction • Oxidizes cell walls of microorganisms. • Disrupts cellular structures, leading to inactivation. • Targets: Cell membranes, enzymes, nucleic acids. • Reactivity: Non-selective, reacts with organic matter.
  • 5.
    🔹 Ozone isused in food processing environments, especially in water-based systems. 🔹 Ozone breaks down into reactive oxygen species (ROS) like hydroxyl radicals and superoxide, which penetrate the bacterial cell. 🔹 Inside the cell, these ROS cause major damage: proteins are oxidized and clump together, enzymes are inactivated, and DNA is damaged beyond repair. 🔹 The bacteria's natural defenses, like the SOD enzyme, are overwhelmed. 🔹 As a result, the bacteria can’t function, replicate, or survive.
  • 6.
    3. Applications inFood Processing • a. Surface Decontamination: Fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood. • b. Water Treatment: Disinfection, pesticide removal. • c. Storage Atmosphere: Shelf life extension, mold control. • d. Food Contact Surfaces: Equipment and surface sanitization.
  • 7.
    4. Benefits ofUsing Ozone • Broad-spectrum antimicrobial. • No chemical residue; decomposes to oxygen. • Environmentally friendly; no harmful byproducts. • Effective in gas and aqueous forms. • GRAS approved by FDA (2001).
  • 8.
    5. Limitations andChallenges • Instability: Must be generated on-site. • Corrosiveness: Potential equipment damage. • Health hazard: Toxic at high concentrations. • Limited penetration: Less effective on soiled surfaces.
  • 9.
    6. Ozone vs.Traditional Disinfectants • Property | Ozone | Chlorine | UV Light • Residue | None | Yes | None • Oxidizing potential | Very high | Moderate | Moderate • Microbial range | Broad | Broad | Limited to line of sight • Environmental impact | Low | Moderate to High | Low
  • 10.
    7. Regulatory Status •USA (FDA, 2001): Approved for direct use in food. • EU: Allowed in some sectors (e.g., bottled water). • Canada and Japan: Approved in specific applications.
  • 11.
    8. Examples ofUse in Industry • Fruit processors: Washing apples, grapes, berries. • Meat plants: Ozone mist or rinse for carcasses. • Seafood: Ozonated ice for freshness. • Beverage industry: Sanitizing bottling lines and water.
  • 12.
    9. Conclusion • Highlyeffective, residue-free, eco-friendly disinfectant. • Ideal for disinfection, shelf-life extension, food safety. • Requires careful handling due to instability and hazards.
  • 13.
    References 1. Rice, R.G.(2002). Applications of ozone for industrial wastewater treatment - a review. Ozone: Science & Engineering, 24(1), pp.47–62. 2. Khadre, M.A., Yousef, A.E. and Kim, J.G. (2001). Microbiological aspects of ozone applications in food: a review. Journal of Food Science, 66(9), pp.1242– 1252. 3. Restaino, L., Frampton, E.W., Hemphill, J.B. and Palnikar, P. (1995). Efficacy of ozonated water against various food-related microorganisms. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 61(9), pp.3471–3475. 4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (2001). GRAS Notice for ozone used as an antimicrobial agent. [online] Available at: https://www.fda.gov [Accessed 13 May 2025]. 5. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) (2008). Benefits and risks of the use of ozone in food processing. [online] Available at: http://www.fao.org [Accessed 13 May 2025]. 6. Gupta, S. and Tiwari, B.K. (2020). Ozone treatment in food processing: potential benefits and limitations. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 99, pp.267–281. 7. Ölmez, H. and Akbas, M.Y. (2009). Optimization of ozone treatment of fresh-cut green leaf lettuce. Journal of Food Engineering, 90(4), pp.487–494. 8. Moore, G. and Griffith, C. (2002). A comparison of surface sampling methods for detecting coliforms on food contact surfaces. Food Microbiology, 19(1), pp.65–73. 9. Agarwal, A., Sharma, A., and Saxena, S. (2006). Ozone disinfection in food industry: a review. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 109(1-2), pp.1–9. 10. Ozone Solutions (2024). Ozone Applications in the Food Industry. [online] Available at: https://www.ozonesolutions.com [Accessed 13 May 2025]. 11. Oxidation Technologies (2023). Global Regulations on Ozone in Food Processing. [online] Available at: https://www.oxidationtech.com [Accessed 13 May 2025]. 12. Food Safety Magazine (2021). Recent Ozone Applications in Food Processing and Sanitation. [online] Available at: https://www.food-safety.com [Accessed 13 May 2025]. 13. Wang, L., Hu, C., Shao, L., Zhang, C., Xu, Y., Wang, Y. and Ma, X., 2020. Mechanisms of ozone-induced antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus: role of membrane damage and oxidative stress. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 412(29), pp.7291–7304. [online] Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00216-020-02810-6 [Accessed 13 May 2025].
  • 14.