NEW AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

Non-Thermal Technologies- Non-thermal preservation technologies include the application techniques such as high-pressure processing, pulsed-electric fields and pulsed light for the preservation of  foods.  The preservative effect of these technologies is primarily due to their ability to damage microbial cells.  

In keeping abreast of  these current developments in food processing, AGSI in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) is currently funding the preparation of  a bulletin on New and Emerging Non-Themal Food Technologies. This two-part bulletin will review technical and safety aspects of  these new and emerging non-thermal technologies.  More details in a future update

Food Irradiation-AGSI, together with the FAO/IAEA Joint Division in Vienna is, where appropriate, actively involved in the promotion of food irradiation. This technology is applicable in extending the shelf-life of perishables, in minimising post-harvest losses through disinfestation, and in inhibiting sprouting in onions, potatoes etc. Food irradiation is also valuable in the reduction of food-borne diseases through the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella, Listeria and Campylobacter.

 The FAO/IAEA Joint Division has produced a number of interesting bulletins on the use and application of food irradiation. (Click here for a listing).

 Membrane Separation Technology- Membrane separation technologies are low cost, scaleable product separation technologies with low energy requirements. They are commercially applied in the dairy industry, in fruit juice and beverage processing, in the production of potable water and in the treatment of waste water.  Access to these technologies could feasibly allow developing countries the opportunity to improve the overall quality of the products they produce.

An Expert Consultation  was conducted by AGSI in 1996, in order to assess prospects for the introduction of membrane separation technologies to food and related processing industries in developing countries. The expert panel recognised the potential of membrane separation technologies for improving safety standards in food, and for the production of potable water in FAO member countries. As a follow up to the recommendations of this forum, work is currently underway toward the establishment of a transfer centre for the application of membrane separation technologies to developing countries. (Click here for a publication listing on membrane separation technologies).

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