BEE International Blog

While the terms “pasteurization” and “sterilization” are sometimes used interchangeably, each is actually a separate process offering unique benefits. Knowing the difference between the two will help you understand why scientists and manufacturers from a wide range of industries choose to use one over the other as they test and create food items, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals and more. Keep reading for a quick overview of the pasteurization vs. sterilization processes:

Pasteurization

Pasteurization refers to the application of low level heat to food so that the harmful microorganisms and enzymes in it are either killed or deactivated. By eliminating these pathogens, pasteurization helps preserve many types of food items and prevents food-borne illness and disease upon their consumption. Since only a mild heat is applied, the treated food experiences just a small reduction in nutritional value and little change to its sensory qualities, making pasteurization a great preservation and safety tool for many food products.

Sterilization

Sterilization, on the other hand, refers to the process by which all microorganisms are killed or removed from an object or substance. Unlike pasteurization, which usually relies on heat to kill pathogens, sterilization can be achieved via several different means, including high pressure, chemicals and radiation, and can be applied to multiple types of products (not just food).

So, How Does Homogenization Fit In?

When considering pasteurization vs. sterilization, it’s easy to also wonder about homogenization. Homogenization is the process by which one substance is broken into uniform parts and thoroughly mixed with another. Different types of homogenizers rely on different forces to reduce particle size and facilitate this mixing — from turbulence, impact and shear to ultrasonic sound waves and high pressure.

Of course, first and foremost, homogenizers are meant to homogenize, but our high pressure homogenizers here at BEE International have the added benefit of effectively pasteurizing many food items, too. During high pressure homogenization (HPH), a sample is exposed to extreme pressure and pushed through tiny holes which breaks the its cellular bonds, reduces its particle size and allows it to be better mixed with another substance. This process doesn’t just allow for better mixing, though; it kills many pathogenic organisms, as well.

Thermal pasteurization is still the most common pasteurization method, but in 2004, the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) issued a report requesting that “pasteurization” be redefined to include "any process, treatment, or combination thereof, that is applied to food to reduce the most resistant microorganism(s) of public health significance to a level that is not likely to present a public health risk under normal conditions of distribution and storage” (i.e., pasteurization can be accomplished via means other than heat). Indeed, many food manufacturers are pushing for increased reliance on high pressure pasteurization since it has the potential not only to reduce nutritional degradation, but to enhance it due to physical and chemical changes that occur when certain foods are exposed to high pressure. Current studies even show promise in using ultra high pressure homogenization for sterilization; there’s little doubt that it’s an exciting time for high pressure homogenizers!

Want to Learn More?

If you’re wondering how high pressure homogenization might benefit your pasteurization processes or have other questions regarding pasteurization vs. sterilization methods, please contact us. Our patented emulysifying cell technology affords many advantages; we would be happy to review your needs and help you choose a homogenizing system that will improve your manufacturing or research procedures and boost your productivity, as well as strengthen the quality of the products you test and create.

Feel free to also download our complimentary eBook, “How to Achieve Efficient & Consistent Particle Size Reduction,” for additional information on the value of high pressure homogenization.

In the mid 19th century, Louis Pasteur helped France safeguard its beer and wine industries by establishing a manufacturing process that preserved and protected alcoholic products from spoilage during export. The principles of that system, eventually known as pasteurization, were based on his observations not only that microorganisms could change the molecular makeup of substances, but that they could be killed when exposed to high temperatures. Coupled with the scientific significance of French chef Nicolas Appert’s previous research on sterilization and canning techniques, thermal pasteurization quickly became the de facto approach for food manufacturers wanting to guarantee the safety and preserve the quality of their liquid and some semi-solid products.

The only problem: exposure to extreme temperatures often changes the way a food tastes, as well as its nutritional value. Believing that neither should have to be sacrificed because of safety and preservation concerns and buoyed by additional scientific advances, as well as increasing public interest in clean eating, more and more manufacturers are starting to use a high pressure processing system (HPP or pascalization) instead of heat to pasteurize their products. HPP effectively removes most pathogens and other harmful microorganisms and extends shelf life, but does not alter a food’s nutritional content, its color or its flavor. Take a look at the two most common types of high pressure pasteurization equipment: 

Water Tanks for Prepackaged Food Pasteurization

Certain prepackaged liquid and solid food items can be pasteurized using a large steel tank filled with a liquid (usually water). After the packaged food is loaded in to the tank, pumps apply pressure that changes the food’s cell structure, effectively inhibiting cell division and killing most microorganisms. According to food science research at Rutgers University, “vegetable and fruit products such as juices, salsa, dressing and guacamole; meat products such as ready-to-eat deli meats and poultry; and seafood such as shellfish and fish products” can all be processed using a high pressure pasteurization technique. The tank method is capable of processing a lot of food at one time, making it a good choice for manufacturers with high volume productions.

Homogenizers for Liquids and Semi-Solid Pasteurization

Liquids and some semi-solid products can also be pasteurized with high pressure homogenizers that push them through a series of tubes using a hydraulic pumping system that creates pressure and sterilizes them. The homogenizer then expels the product through a small opening with a drop in pressure that forces cell rupture, breaking the product apart into equally sized pieces that can be easily and uniformly mixed. Combining the pasteurization and homogenization process allows manufacturers to more efficiently manage their time, reducing their energy use and waste, and serves as a viable alternative to thermal pasteurization in the milk and juice industries especially. 

Want to Learn More?

High pressure pasteurization equipment improves the shelf life of products and maintains food flavor and nutritional value. At BEE International, our high pressure homogenizers also provide the added benefit of completely dispersing the particles of your products, allowing for uniform texture in addition to taste. This means you can use our homogenizers to enhance more than just food products. Our high pressure pasteurization equipment improves pharmaceutical, chemical, biofuel and cosmetic manufacturing and aids in RNA extraction and oil emulsification processes. Contact us to learn how it can help you, too.

Most people in the biotech, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries are familiar with homogenization – the process of reducing particle size. But what about high pressure pasteurization? This technique has been around for quite some time, and is slowly gaining commercial importance. Continue reading to learn more about this growing technique, and how it is best utilized in various manufacturing industries.

High pressure pasteurization, also known as high pressure processing, or simply HPP, is a pasteurization method that uses pressure rather than the traditional method of heat to kill microorganisms in food. This process is significant, as it helps to extend the shelf life of both liquid and solid foods, and it improves the safety of foods as well. This is done through killing spoilage organisms, including yeasts and lactic acid bacteria, as well as pathogenic microorganisms, such as E. coli, listeria, and salmonella.

Since pressure (instead of heat) is used to kill microorganisms, high pressure pasteurization offers a number of benefits over thermal processing. For one, high pressure pasteurization is less destructive to vitamins, flavors, and pigments, allowing these molecules to survive processing relatively unharmed. This helps maintain the nutritional value and quality of the end product. Other benefits of high pressure pasteurization include:

• Color and flavor retention
• Improved shelf life
• Improved texture
• Supports growing demand for organic and preservative free products

The process of high pressure pasteurization is relatively simple. First, product enters the system and is pumped up to the desired pressure; this pressure is maintained during the entirety of processing. Next, the product passes through a small orifice and undergoes a drop in pressure; this utilizes the force of cavitation, which works to rupture cells.

BEE International offers a line of pilot scale high pressure processing systems to meet the needs of your industry. Our equipment offers the following features and benefits:

• Designed for enhanced experimentation
• Adjustable hold time
• Ability to maintain maximum pressure and continuous flow
• Achieves optimum results in the fewest amount of passes
• Works in a number of settings: laboratory, pilot, and full scale manufacturing
• Efficient and economic
• In-line process
• Pressure of up to 45,000 psi (3,100 bar)

To learn more about our line of high pressure pasteurization equipment, please contact us today. For even more information on our core technology, and to see an animation illustrating how our technology can be customized for your application for efficient and consistent results, click here.

For more information on different methods for your application, download our FREE eBook all about cell lysis methods:

Homogenization, also known as particle size reduction or micronization, is an essential step utilized in a number of growing industries: pharmaceutical, biotech, chemical, cosmetic, and food. The act of homogenization allows for numerous benefits to the end product: longer shelf life, increased stability of the final product, and lower overall cost. It’s no wonder more and more companies are taking advantage of this powerful process!

However, before choosing the right homogenizer for the task at hand, it is important to understand what homogenization is – and what is isn’t. When asked to describe homogenization, many people mistake it with a different process – pasteurization. And while the two processes have their similarities, they are very different. Continue reading to learn more about the critical differences between homogenization and pasteurization.

Pasteurization

Pasteurization was first invented in 1864, when French scientist Louis Pasteur discovered that the bacteria that caused spoilage in beer and wine could be killed simply through heat. This discovery was revolutionary, as it allowed these and other products to enjoy a longer shelf life and increased quality. Today, pasteurization is used in a number of industries, including dairy, food, wine, and other beverages – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.  While pasteurization is not designed to kill all of the bacteria present in any given product, it greatly reduces the number of harmful pathogens, making milk and other beverages safe for human consumption.

Homogenization

Homogenization, on the other hand, is an entirely separate process from pasteurization – in most cases, this step occurs after pasteurization. Homogenization does not do much when it comes to eliminating bacteria, but it has another crucial benefit – it works to improve the quality and taste of food. In the case of milk, this is achieved by breaking down fat molecules so that they resist separation. The end result is an evenly mixed finished product that looks – and tastes – smooth, creamy, and consistent.

Choosing the Right Homogenizer

With the main differences out of the way, you can now choose the right homogenizer for your industry’s needs. BEE International offers a number of high quality, high pressure homogenizers for the needs of virtually every industry. Our homogenizers work well in any setting – from small labs all the way up to pilot plants and full scale production.

Contact us today to learn more about our homogenizers and how they can help your company achieve its production goals.

For more information about homogenization and cell lysis methods, download our FREE eBook:

Homogenization, also known as micronization or particle size reduction, is perhaps most widely recognized as it relates to the dairy industry. Homogenization of milk involves the breaking down of fat molecules in milk so that they resist separation. Smaller fat molecules allow for a more even suspension and dispersion in milk, which results in a more pleasant looking (and tasting!) end product. Homogenization of milk is a mechanical process that prevents cream from rising to the top of milk; this also leads to a longer shelf life. Other benefits of homogenized milk include:

• Milk from different herds of cows can be mixed without issues
• Thanks to a longer shelf life, milk can be shipped greater distances
• Homogenization makes it easier for dairies to filter out fat, resulting in two percent, one percent, and skim milk
• The reduced size of fat molecules allow the milk fats to be more readily absorbed

Pasteurization of milk, on the other hand, occurs before the homogenization step and is a more involved process that involves heating milk up and then quickly cooling it down. This allows for a longer shelf life, and also kills many (but not all) microorganisms often found in milk.

What BEE International Has to Offer

In the field of pasteurization, BEE International is hard at work to ensure the most effective, repeatable, stable, and high quality methods of pasteurization in order to remove food borne pathogens, reduce costs, and improve shelf life of pasteurized products.

Our High Pressure Processing (HPP) equipment offers the following benefits:

• Color and flavor retention
• Improved shelf life
• Improved texture
• Better retention of nutritional values, sensory and microbiological quality
• Supports growing demand for organic and preservative free products
• Vitamins and anti-oxidants stay in the food rather than being removed and re-added
• Designed for enhanced experimentation
• Hold times can be easily adjusted while maintaining maximum pressure and continuous flow
• Optimum results in fewer passes can be achieved
• Pressures of up to 45,000 psi are available
• Modular design allows for the processing of pulpy and viscous food products

To learn more about our technology and how it can be customized for your application for efficient and consistent results, please contact us today. You can also view an animation of our technology by clicking here.

For more information on particle size reduction and how to get consistent results, download our FREE eBook:

High Pressure Processing (HPP) is a pasteurization method that uses high pressure instead of heat to kill microorganisms in foods. This process goes by many other names too, including High Pressure Pasteurization, Pascalization, Bridgmanization, Cold Pasteurization, Ultra High Pressure (UHP) Processing, and High Hydrostatic Pressure (HHP) Processing.

HPP is used for preserving and sterilizing food products. The high pressure inactivates bacteria, viruses, yeasts, molds, and parasites present in food; as well as food enzymes. Typical pressures applied to foods range from 300 – 800 MPa (43,500 – 116,000 psi). Food products can be HPP processed with or without packaging.

Heat may be applied; however, HPP is mainly conducted at refrigerated temperatures, relying on pressure alone to process the food. The absence of heat is key; as this means that the food retains important components like vitamins, antioxidants, and its color and flavor profile. 

Applications of HPP

Products that frequently utilize HPP technology include:

• Juices and smoothies
• Meat products like cold cuts, ground beef and poultry, and precooked meats
• Seafood like lobster or oysters can be shucked with HPP
• Fresh-cut fruit and packaged fruit products like applesauce
• Fresh-cut vegetables and packaged vegetable products like guacamole or avocado halves
• Fruit jellies and jams
• Dairy products like yoghurt & yoghurt-based dressings, cream products, cream cheese and milk
• Ready-to-eat foods like packaged meals, salads, soups, and hummus
• “Raw” style pet food

Disadvantages of HPP

HPP is not the ideal preservation method for all kinds of food, neither is it effective against all microbial forms. Spore-forming organisms are highly resistant to HPP when they are in their spore form. The spores of Clostridium botulinum, for example, can thrive in low-acid foods and produce a deadly toxin. These spores require a combination of pressure and heat, or some other antibacterial intervention in order to eliminate them.

HPP can cause undesirable sensory changes in certain foodstuffs. In foods like eggs, the denaturation of protein can be visually apparent. Very high pressures can also damage the appearance of delicate foods like strawberries or leafy greens.

DeBEE High Pressure Homogenizers: Working Hand in Hand with HPP

BEE International technology has a modular approach which supports a wide variety of process configurations including applications like HPP. Our high pressure homogenizers meet stringent FDA requirements with options such as automated control, in-line process design, data gathering, SCADA and validation documentation.

We are here to help you find the right equipment for your specific application. Contact us today to learn more about high pressure homogenization and let us help you make the right decision. 

For more information on high pressure homogenizer applications and factors to consider when choosing a cell lysis method, download our FREE eBook: 

If you could choose between two foods, both of which provide equal nutritional value, yet one will spoil tomorrow and the other will last you for months, which would you choose? An increasing proportion of people are trending towards the latter, which is available due to high pressure pasteurization (HPP). HPP is a food processing method that holds numerous consumer benefits compared with other existing processing methods, and may very well be the future of food processing. Keep reading for tips on why HPP is right for your laboratory. 

1. Many Products Well-Suited for HPP

A variety of food products are very well-suited for HPP; best suited, however, are those with a high water content and those which will eventually be pre-packaged. Specific examples of foods that can undergo HPP include fruits and vegetables, seafood, beverages, avocado/guacamole and salsa, meats, and dips.  (1)

2. Minimal Chemical Modifications

Raw products that are processed through thermal pasteurization undergo significant alterations to their texture, flavor, and nutritional content. Importantly, heat exposure can destroy some vitamins that comprise the high nutritional value of some fruits and vegetables. HPP, however, applies pressure instead of heat, so allows for preservation of these critical elements.

3. Enhanced Safety & Decreased Cost

One of the key benefits of HPP is its ability to enhance food safety while also conferring fewer costs, compared with other pasteurization methods. Some of the safety benefits include elimination of foodborne pathogens & organisms, as well as elimination of some bacterial spore strains. Using HPP can also save money by reducing the need for processing chemicals, recalls, transportation, and costs associated with thermal processing. An added bonus is the money saved for the consumer when their food’s extended shelf life results in fewer incidents of food spoilage.

BEE International: Multi-Purpose Homogenizers for High Pressure Pasteurization

When your laboratory decides to use high pressure pasteurization as your beverage preparation method, one of the first items on the agenda will be to acquire appropriate equipment. BEE International (BEEI) is globally renowned among laboratory scientists and researchers for its innovative technology. Our high pressure processing and pasteurization equipment helps improve color, flavor retention, shelf life, and texture. Importantly, it supports a growing demand for organic and preservative-free products, as naturally-occurring vitamins and antioxidants remain in food.

BEE Interational’s pilot scale high pressure processing HPP system is designed for enhanced experimentation. This means that the scientist can easily adjust hold time through a simple series of valves while maintaining maximum pressure and continuous flow.

Learn more about how BEE International can support your high pressure pasteruization process or download our FREE eBook below:

Many Americans get a substantial amount of dietary calories not from the food they eat, but from the beverages they drink. Yet many of these beverages, even those labeled as all-natural or healthy, are free of nutritional value and simply provide empty calories. High pressure pasteurization (HPP) is an emerging beverage pasteurization method that has many benefits compared to the traditional methods, and which can help your laboratory produce a safe and nutritionally sound beverage. Keep reading for the reasons you should use HPP for your beverage preparations.

1. Inhibition of Harmful Pathogen Growth

There are two central reasons for subjecting any food or beverage to pasteurization or homogenization: 1) Its ability to kill spoilage organisms, including yeast and lactic acid bacteria, and 2) Its ability to improve food safety by killing pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. (1)

2. Maintenance of Nutrition & Flavor

Food and beverage corporations that do not use HPP to destroy harmful pathogens likely use traditional thermal pasteurization instead. The key difference between these is that the traditional method uses heat, while HPP uses pressure. The heat method has been shown to damage and/or destroy key nutrients that are naturally found in these beverages, and is a central motivator for industry leaders to use HPP instead. HPP has been shown to preserve the nutritional value of beverages while also maintaining natural flavors, an achievement that no other process can claim.

3. Wider Range of Ingredients

HPP’s ability to increase safety while simultaneously maintaining nutrient quality is a key factor to consider when determining beverage ingredients. Beverages that are destined for thermal pasteurization may not include ingredients whose quality nutrients will be cooked out, as it would be a waste of money and resources. However, HPP-treated beverages can include ingredients that may not have previously been considered for pasteurized beverages. An additional benefit to using more ingredients is the decreased need for artificial ingredients, whether for flavor or nutritional purposes.

4. Improved Shelf Life

Fruit juice is one of the most popular beverages in America, and when purchased fresh, must be consumed within days. In contrast, fruit juices that have undergone HPP have a shelf life of up to 30 days, as is the case with Suja Life juices. As a general rule of thumb, HPP can improve shelf life by two- to three-fold compared with a non-pasteurized product. In addition, products that are exposed to thermal pasteurization oftentimes require freezing as a preservation method. Yet HPP allows those same products to remain on the shelf for extended periods of time without spoiling. (2)

BEEI: Multi-Purpose Homogenizers for High Pressure Pasteurization

When your laboratory decides to use HPP as your beverage preparation method, one of the first items on the agenda will be to acquire appropriate equipment. BEE International (BEEI) is internationally renowned among laboratory scientists and researchers for its innovative technology. Their high pressure processing/pasteurization equipment helps improve color and flavor retention, shelf life, and texture. Importantly, it supports a growing demand for organic and preservative-free products, as naturally-occurring vitamins and antioxidants remain in food.

BEEI’s pilot scale high pressure processing HPP system is designed for enhanced experimentation. This means that the scientist can easily adjust hold time through a simple series of valves while maintaining maximum pressure and continuous flow.

Learn more about how BEEI can support your beverage’s HPP dreams here! If you're looking for more ways to reduce particle size of beverage mixtures for perfect pasteurization, download our FREE eBook below:

The present-day food and pharmaceutical industries are overrun with misconceptions about ingredients, processes, and treatment. As quickly as one study promotes a treatment, a highly contrasting finding soon surfaces. For the consumer, this can be incredibly confusing and misleading, causing one to wonder what to believe. As researchers who synthesize these products, it is critical that we have an accurate understanding of every aspect of our processes. In this writing, we tackle pasteurization and homogenization: When should each be used? And how can you as a researcher ensure that you are producing a high quality and effective product?

Made famous by the infamous Louis Pasteur, pasteurization involves heating food to a specific temperature to target and kill potentially harmful pathogens and contaminants. Milk, eggs and products made from milk need minimal processing, called pasteurization. This process includes: heating the milk briefly (for example, heating it to 161°F for about 15 seconds), rapidly cooling the milk, practicing sanitary handling, and storing milk in clean, closed containers at 40°F or below.

The process can be implemented via flash, steam, or irradiation, all of which expose the product to heat and/or gamma rays for differing periods of time. Studies have shown that flavor and nutrient composition are compromised during the process, specifically in the context of milk treatment. Yet short-lasting, high-temperature treatments are significantly less detrimental than long-lasting, lower-temperature treatments, particularly in terms of nutrient composition. (1) A number of medical professionals have claimed that pasteurized milk has serious health and nutrition implications, but the FDA strongly discourages raw milk consumption due to the serious dangers of harmful microorganisms present in unpasteurized milk. In fact, among dairy product-associated outbreaks reported to CDC during 2007 and 2012 in which the investigators reported whether the product was pasteurized or raw, 81% were due to raw milk or cheese.(2)

In contrast to pasteurization, homogenization can be applied to more than just foods; homogenizers can yield emulsions, dispersions, suspensions, and more, which can be used across industries. The single classic food example is milk, yet there are almost too many pharmaceutical products to name; creams, vaccines, antibiotics, steroids, cancer drugs, and nutraceuticals are just a few. Homogenization has been described as fuel for cancer growth and digestive problems due to protein polymers escaping the digestive process. However, there are few bodies of actual research indicating these claims to be founded. In fact, pharmaceutical products that are synthesized using high quality homogenizers are typically more effective, visually appealing, and overall higher quality than those produced using a low-quality homogenizer or none at all.

Regardless of the type of product your lab is working to synthesize - pharmaceutical or food- it is important to acquire homogenizers and pasteurizers that are high quality, and come with effective product support. BEE International Technologies is  trusted by pharmaceutical researchers and lab managers around the world. Our high pressure homogenizers deliver an array of key benefits, such as production of nano/micro emulsions and dispersions and lipids and suspensions; these can be used for applications such as injectables, targeted drug delivery, inhalants, time release, anesthetics, and vaccinations.

In addition, we have extensive experience in the challenges that their pharmaceutical customers face as they transition from concept, through to R&D, clinical trials, all-important FDA approval and finally, to manufacturing.

Learn more by visiting http://www.beei.com/industry/pharmaceutical-process-equipment and download our FREE eBook on particle size reduction below: