Validation of a novel high impedance electroporation device for food and agricultural applications

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Pulsed electric fields (PEF) are a well-developed method of cellular electroporation and are used for gene transfer and chemotherapy in life science research and medical applications. PEF have also evolved as a novel unit operation in food processing. The technology is applied in extraction or drying of plant material, and for preservation of liquid foods. Advantages of PEF over conventional technologies include the improved retention of nutrients, and reduced energy consumption. However, commercial additional applications of PEF have often failed due to electrochemical by-products associated with PEF conduction current. HIECO Ltd. has developed a novel electroporation device called high impedence electrode (HIE) that delivers PEF while essentially avoiding the flow of conduction current. This novel device allows PEF treatment without heating of the matrix, and further reduces energy consumption over conventional PEF methods. However, because past studies employed conventional PEF units combining PEF with thermal effects and current flow, the effects of the new PEF device on biological membranes cannot be derived from available experimental data. The project aims to determine the bactericidal and fungicidal effects of this novel electroporation device that delivers electrical pulses with reduced current flow when compared to commercial units for pulsed electrical field treatment. Validation of the bactericidal effect of the novel electroporation device, followed by application development, will contribute to the creation of a new product for which international demand exists. Successful application development and marketing will create long term manufacturing employment in Canada.