Efficacy of Gaseous Ozone Against
Generic E.coli in Ground Beef
Authors: Joel Leusink, George Kraft
Abstract: The use of gaseous ozone was evaluated as an antimicrobial intervention against
Escherichia coli (E.coli) in ground beef. This research took place in two parts. Phase 1 initially
inspected for color and appearance change due to ozone gas oxidizing the beef. Phase 2 tested
for antimicrobial action due to the ozone against E.coli bacteria. Ozone treatment to the ground
beef showed no color or flavor change at ozone levels that were effective at reducing E.coli in
the ground beef. Raw, ground beef inoculated with generic E.coli was treated with gaseous
ozone at various levels it was determined that approximately 95.8% of the E.coli in the ground
beef was killed when the ozone concentration approached 200 ppm