Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) Processing of Fruit and Vegetables

Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) processing is an exciting new tool for food processors, with a range of potential applications, which can save time, energy, and money over conventional processes, such as slicing, extraction, and drying. PEF processing uses short, high voltage pulses to electroporate microbes, plant cells, and animal tissue. After many years of research on non-thermal pasteurization, applications have shifted to PEF processing of plant tissues for a variety of applications. This paper provides an overview of PEF applications for fruits, vegetables, and other materials.