Synergistic effect of ionizing radiation on chemical disinfectant treatments for reduction of natural microflora on seafood

The purpose of this study was to determine whether combined treatments would produce synergistic disinfection effects on seafood products such as mussel and squid compared with single treatments. We investigated the bactericidal effects of chlorine and ionizing radiation on the natural microflora of mussel and squid. Total aerobic bacteria initially ranged from 102 to 104 Log CFU/g. More than 100 ppm of chlorine and irradiation at 1 kGy were sufficient to reduce the total aerobic bacteria on mussel and squid to a level lower than detection limit (10 CFU/g). Synergistic effects against natural microflora were observed for all combined treatment. These results suggest that a significant synergistic benefit results from combine chlorine-ionizing radiation treatment against natural microflora on mussel and squid.

► Synergistic effect of combined treatments of chlorine and irradiation was tested using seafood.
► Synergistic effect against natural microflora was observed for all combined treatments.
► Therefore, it is recommended that industry use the combined treatment for better effect.