Absolute preservation indicator for the assessment of refrigeration performance based on dynamic temperature measurements and predictive microbiology

García-Cortés, Andrés; Martínez-Martínez, Enrique; Fernández-Villanueva, Gerardo; Torres-Valdez, Alejandro Yamaguchi; Fagotti, Fabian; García‐García, Rebeca; Quiroz, Reynaldo de la Cruz; Torres, J. Antonio

doi:10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.108891

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 32 publications

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“…counts during the time interval Δt i (h) between temperature measurements, µ max (T i , 1/h) is the specific growth rate at the average temperature T i ( 2). The data pairs were then subjected to an outlier detection process described in detail by Garcia Cortes et al (2022) reducing the risk of under and overestimation. Once all data pair outliers were eliminated, 1000 of the remaining pairs were randomly chosen for use in probabilistic estimations, while the mean value of each parameter from this 1000-value set was used for deterministic estimations.…”

Section: Predictive Microbial Growth Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ambient temperature, refrigerator food load, and door openings effect on a preservation performance indicator based on chicken temperature data and predictive microbiology

Martínez-Martínez

Quiroz

Fagotti³

et al. 2023

Journal of Food Science

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Home preservation depends on the food matrix, refrigerator design/technology, consumer actions, and ambient temperature. Storing different food matrices in product‐relevant refrigerator locations generating different temperature histories can be used to develop an indicator of how refrigerator technology, consumer habits, and environment conditions impact the refrigerator food preservation performance. In this study, poultry, particularly prone to spoilage reflecting its pH, nutrient availability, and high aw, was used to evaluate refrigerator preservation performance as affected by compressor technology (single [SS] and variable speed [VS]), ambient temperature (21.1°C [LT] and 32.2°C [HT]), and refrigerator load (22.5 kg [RL] and 39 kg [HL]). Time‐temperature values collected for chicken breast stored in a drawer independently controlled at 0°C in a refrigerator set 5°C, and a Pseudomonas predictive microbiology model, were used to estimate a normalized refrigerator performance indicator (RPI). Values <1, ∼1, and >1 described excellent, good, or poor performance, respectively. A first analysis revealed that up to 54% of chicken breast temperatures were above its recommended refrigerated storage value. When ignoring variability sources, SS technology yielded RPI values ranging 0.61–0.70, whereas the more energy efficient VS compressor yielded values ranging 0.86–1.14. The higher and wider VS RPI range reflects a compressor control logic optimized for energy efficiency compliance while disregarding effects on food preservation. When considering the variability of model parameters and temperature measurements through one‐sided 95% confidence intervals yielded RPI reaching 1.16. Although the independently controlled drawer preservation performance was near optimal, it can improve by considering energy use and preservation impact when optimizing the compressor speed control protocol.Practical ApplicationWorldwide poultry meat consumption has reached 15 kg per person. Refrigeration is widely used for its safety and quality preservation. Efficiency regulations decreased the energy use of residential refrigerators by nearly tenfold even though their size increased by 50% in the last half century. In this study, we provide quantitative evidence that their preservation performance must be improved. This is particularly true for upper end units typically equipped with quieter and more energy‐efficient variable speed compressors. The same methodology can be used to evaluate the preservation performance of the storage units, trucks, and display cases used for refrigerated products.

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Section: Predictive Microbial Growth Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ambient temperature, refrigerator food load, and door openings effect on a preservation performance indicator based on chicken temperature data and predictive microbiology

Martínez-Martínez

Quiroz

Fagotti³

et al. 2023

Journal of Food Science

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Novel refrigerated preservation performance indicator based on predictive microbiology and product time-temperature data, an essential tool to reach zero food waste

Martínez-Martínez

Quiroz

Garza

et al. 2023

CyTA - Journal of Food

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Assessing refrigerated preservation performance using Listeria predictive microbiology models and temperature data: Refrigerator performance indicator and time‐temperature equivalent

Gonzalez de la Garza,

Martínez‐Martínez,

Fernandez Villanueva

et al. 2024

Journal of Food Science

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Time‐temperature data for queso fresco (QF) cheese varieties stored in a residential refrigerator operating at 5°C and a predictive microbiology secondary model for Listeria monocytogenes in QF were used to estimate a refrigerator performance indicator (RPI) of microbial preservation. RPI values were used to assess how compressor technology (single [SS] and variable speed [VS]), ambient temperature (21.1°C [LT] and 32.2°C [HT]), and refrigerator load (22.5 kg regular load and 39 kg higher load) affected preservation performance. All deterministic and probabilistic RPI estimations slightly exceeded the desirable 1.0 value, i.e., the variable temperatures for the QF kept in the refrigerator were worse than keeping it constantly at the temperature recommended by food safety agencies for QF. Furthermore, the mean comparison of estimates of the time‐temperature equivalent indicator previously developed by French researchers showed similar behavior to those observed for RPI. Finally, statistical analysis showed that Tambient was the factor with the highest impact on refrigerator performance because of its impact on the sample temperature increase during door openings and when exposed to ambient temperature during product use. This highlights the need to reduce the time for product temperature recovery by improving the compressor operation logic. Also important are consumer behavior changes such as a reduction in product exposure to ambient temperature and in the door opening duration and frequency.Practical ApplicationThis study demonstrated how a quantitative tool (RPI) can assess refrigerator preservation performance. Although the findings presented can be applied to any cold chain segment, the data used was collected for its weakest link, the domestic refrigerator. Surveys show that 77% of them operate above the recommended 4°C. The RPI methodology is ready for use by refrigerator designers to assess performance improvements possible by modifications of the compressor operation logic. Moreover, it can be integrated into smart‐hubs monitoring the frequency and duration of refrigerator door openings to inform consumers when their habits are compromising the preservation performance of the refrigerator.

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Absolute preservation indicator for the assessment of refrigeration performance based on dynamic temperature measurements and predictive microbiology

Cited by 3 publications

References 32 publications

Ambient temperature, refrigerator food load, and door openings effect on a preservation performance indicator based on chicken temperature data and predictive microbiology

Ambient temperature, refrigerator food load, and door openings effect on a preservation performance indicator based on chicken temperature data and predictive microbiology

Novel refrigerated preservation performance indicator based on predictive microbiology and product time-temperature data, an essential tool to reach zero food waste

Assessing refrigerated preservation performance using Listeria predictive microbiology models and temperature data: Refrigerator performance indicator and time‐temperature equivalent

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