What are the prospects for ultrasound technology in food processing? An update on the main effects on different food matrices, drawbacks, and applications

Abstract

AbstractUltrasound is a promising technology that emerges as a sustainable and low‐cost alternative to conventional food processing. Various advantages are related to this technology, including the improvement of food quality, maintenance of food preservation, reduced processing time, and monitoring of food processes. Despite the extensive knowledge about ultrasonic technologies, it is continually updated, and new applications are constantly discovered. Reported results show that ultrasound can be applied, alone or in assisted conditions, to several food matrices, such as meats, fresh products, juices, cereals, and fermented products. However, its use still presents some challenges that include the difficulty of large‐scale applications. Recent studies evidenced current prospects for ultrasound technology, especially by improving novel food processes, such as depolymerization, extraction, emulsion production, and even assisting the removal of pesticides in fresh foods. This review summarizes the main applications and strategies of ultrasound technology in food processing. In addition, the challenges and future perspectives of this technology are also updated.Practical applicationsUltrasound is a widespread technology in food processing, and a great number of applications have been attributed to ultrasound in last decades. This low‐cost alternative offers several advantages, such as reduction in time processing (e.g., elimination of process steps), enhanced efficiency, better attributes to different food products, also, its nondestructive nature allows the retention of product characteristics (textural, nutritional, and sensorial aspects). All these properties made ultrasound an interesting tool for improving food shelf life. Recently, new ultrasound utilities had been discovered, especially in association other processing techniques. An update on ultrasound applications is currently required, providing further essential scope for industrial implementation of ultrasound (i.e., processing operations, food matrix, benefits, limitations).