Abstract
Radio frequency (RF) heating is a novel processing technology. Non-thermal effect of RF pasteurization has been debated in the last few years. This study aimed to explore the cellular pasteurization mechanism of RF heating and its possible non-thermal effect. Constant and consistent sample temperatures were achieved using a laboratory-developed device when heated by RF or hot water (HW). Results showed that the sub-lethal rates and death rates of RF and HW-treated microorganisms were not significantly (p > 0.05) different. Mechanism studies showed that cell structural damages after RF or HW treatment were similar. The α-helix content of protein showed similar increasing trend. However, a small number of differently expressed genes were detected between RF and HW-treated microorganisms. These results indicated that no non-thermal effect of RF was observed in cell lethality or structure changes. Only slight differences were observed in gene expression between RF and HW treated microorganisms.
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