Ozone (O3) Process Technology (OPT): An Exploratory Brief of Minimal Ozone Discharge applied to Shrimp Product

Abstract

Globally, the demand for energy resources is currently on the rise, which directly leads to increase in the pursuit to identify as well as utilize both enhanced and environmental-friendly technologies underscoring direct challenges associated with energy conservation. Principally, ozone treatment stands among emerging innovative technologies of great potential for the food industry. After its declaration as ‘Generally Recognized As Safe’ (GRAS) it is but only a few decades ago that the promises of ozone treatment became more evident, in fact, more noticeable in recent times particularly for domestic and home use. These promises of ozone treatment are largely attributable to chemical and physical properties of the ozone (O3) molecule. Contrariwise, the unstable nature of the O3 molecule has been the underwriting factor that frequently impedes the commercialization of this technology. It is in line with these arguments that this paper is underpinned, by presenting ozone process technology (OPT) through an exploratory brief with respect to ozone discharge that has been minimally applied to shrimp product. This exploratory brief is tersely performed using an analytical appraisal, which attempts to reveal some energy aspects that might have ample relevance. In addition, the justification/rationale ‘why minimal ozone treatment’ is succinctly debated. Anyways, considering that a number of alternative domestic type sanitizers that safely generate ozone are currently penetrating the market worldwide, the concentrations of ozone discharge of almost if not all (of these domestic types) apparently seem not well defined – hence, not consistent. This paucity of definition of concentrations of ozone discharge therefore necessitates supplemental investigations to provide informative and robust data particularly identifying with the domestic-type of ozone-generating facilities. Largely, the motivation for this is that the procurement of domestic-types by many homes around the world is, not only currently on the rise, but more particularly that these facilities are largely believed to effectively sanitize fresh foods. Equally, considering the great energy potential associated with the ozonation process itself, we opine that the ozone process as a technology either in part or whole may well lend itself as a novel, renewable and valuable energy material for future use, a feasible exploration for renewable energy industries to undertake – very appropriate and credible motivation for future investigations.