This study evaluated the efficacy of a 915 MHz microwave with 3 different levels to inactivate 3 serovars
of Salmonella in peanut butter. Peanut butter inoculated with Salmonella enterica serovar Senftenberg, S.
enterica serovar Typhimurium and S. enterica serovar Tennessee were treated with a 915 MHz microwave
with 2, 4 and 6 kW and acid and peroxide values and color changes were determined after 5 min of
microwave heating. Salmonella populations were reduced with increasing treatment time and treatment
power. Six kW 915 MHz microwave treatment for 5 min reduced these three Salmonella serovars by 3.24
e4.26 log CFU/g. Four and two kW 915 MHz microwave processing for 5 min reduced these Salmonella
serovars by 1.14e1.48 and 0.15e0.42 log CFU/g, respectively. Microwave treatment did not affect acid,
peroxide, or color values of peanut butter. These results demonstrate that 915 MHz microwave processing
can be used as a control method for reducing Salmonella in peanut butter without producing
quality deterioration.