Although bacterial inactivation can be faster with
microwave heating, frankfurter samples experienced
shrinkage in the longitudinal direction and expansion in
the radial direction, both by approximately by 10%. This
observation was probably attributable to the ‘‘edge-heating
effect’’ during microwave heating. More study is needed to
minimize or eliminate the ‘‘edge-heating effect’’ during inpackage
pasteurization of frankfurters and other foods.
However, this study demonstrated the feasibility of controlling
microwave heating process for food pasteurization.
When further developed, this technology may be used in
the food industry to eliminate L. monocytogenes and other
foodborne pathogens in RTE foods.