Effects of HPP on Microorganisms: High pressure impacts microorganisms in a similar manner to that
described for the different food chemistry components. Denaturation of proteins, which are
essential to many of the functions of the bacterial cell, has a major impact on the survival of
microorganisms, and can eventually result in cell death if a sufficient amount of pressure is applied
which makes repair/recovery impossible for the bacterial cell. For vegetative organisms including
yeasts and lactic acid bacteria (spoilage organisms), as well as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella,
and Listeria monocytogenes (pathogenic organisms), this is especially true. Numerous scientific studies conducted with these organisms in a variety of different food products have demonstrated applicability of HPP as a kill step for these organisms. Major benefits from the application of HPP
to the different food products from a microbial perspective include extended product shelf life and improved food safety.