Novel Cu-bearing stainless steel: A promising food preservation material

Abstract

• Cu-bearing austenitic stainless steel inhibits reproduction and adhesion of dominant bacteria in rich nutrient environment. • The increase of physical and chemical indexes including pH, TVB-N and nitrite contents results from food spoilage microorganism is weakened by Cu-bearing austenitic stainless steel. • The shelf life of produce and meat is extended by Cu-bearing austenitic stainless steel effectively. Food spoilage induced by microorganism leads to economic loss and is also a serious hazard to human health. The development of food preservation utensils with self-cleaning and antibacterial property is of great significance for interrupting the transmission of microorganism. In this study, we have simulated food preservation environment and studied a Cu-bearing austenitic stainless steel with different time to evaluate the effect of Cu on food preservation. The shelf life of food was extended to a certain extent by weakening the increased speed of physical and chemical indexes and deterioration degree of food morphology characteristics caused by microorganism. Furthermore, based on the antibacterial analysis results, Cu-bearing austenitic stainless steel inhibited reproduction of dominant bacteria in the rich nutrient environment. Thus, the Cu-bearing stainless steel reduced bacterial adhesion to the surface of the material and slowed the occurrence of food spoilage. The study provides evidence for application of Cu-bearing austenitic stainless steel in the area of food preservation.