Inactivation of microorganisms by high hydrostatic pressure: A literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61751/bmbr/4.2023.53Keywords:
high pressure, pathogens, neutralization, non-thermal processingAbstract
The use of high hydrostatic pressure is intended to perform non-thermal inactivation of microorganisms in
food products, to ensure their freshness and to prevent foodborne infections. These infections impact the healthcare
system, the food industry, and consumers directly. This study aims to analyse the literature on the effectiveness of high
hydrostatic pressure against pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms transmitted through the consumption of
contaminated food. Scientific publications for 2011-2023 were selected for the review. A total of 44 scientific publications
were selected, the information from which was critically analysed, systematised and presented in the form of a
literature review. The mechanisms of high hydrostatic pressure’s effect on microbial cells are described. To illustrate the
effectiveness of high hydrostatic pressure against microorganisms, data from selected publications regarding efficiency
and treatment parameters are presented in tables. The inactivation of such clinically important microorganisms as
Bacillus cereus, Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp.,
Staphylococcus aureus and Toxoplasma gondii in liquids and food has been demonstrated. High-pressure treatment has
been shown to be a non-thermal food processing method, which distinguishes this method from traditional thermal
processing methods such as boiling or pasteurization. One of the notable advantages of using high hydrostatic pressure
is the non-thermal inactivation of various microorganisms, which preserves the nutritional and flavour properties of
the processed product. It is also noted that food products can be processed in the final packaging, which reduces the risk
of microbial contamination at the post-processing stages. The main disadvantages are the impossibility of complete
inactivation of bacterial spores and the high cost of high-pressure processing equipment. Combining high-pressure
treatment with other methods, such as heat treatment, can overcome the limitations of spore inactivation
Received: 21.08.2023 | Revised: 01.11.2023 | Accepted: 28.11.2023
References
Agregán R, Munekata PES, Zhang W, Zhang J, Pérez-Santaescolástica C, Lorenzo JM. High-pressure processing in the inactivation of Salmonella spp. in food products. Trends Food Sci Technol. 2021;107:31–37. DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2020.11.025
Rocha-Pimienta J, Martillanes S, Ramírez R, Garcia-Parra J, Delgado-Adamez J. Bacillus cereus spores and Staphylococcus aureus sub. aureus vegetative cells inactivation in human milk by high-pressure processing. Food Control. 2020;113:e107212. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107212
Chuang S, Sheen S, Sommers CH, Sheen LY. Modeling the reduction of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes in ground chicken meat by high pressure processing and trans-cinnamaldehyde. LWT. 2021;139:e110601. DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2020.110601
Wu CP, Wu SM, Lin YH, Wu YH, Huang BC, Huang HW, Wang CY. High pressure processing-based hurdle strategy for microbial shelf life of packed food in the Cold Chain. Food Packag Shelf Life. 2022;34:e100983. DOI: 10.1016/j.fpsl.2022.100983
Chacha JS, Zhang L, Ofoedu CE, Suleiman RA, Dotto JM, Roobab U, et al. Revisiting non-thermal food processing and preservation methods – action mechanisms, pros and cons: A technological update (2016-2021). Foods. 2021;10(6):e1430. DOI: 10.3390/foods10061430
Levy R, Okun Z, Shpigelman A. High-pressure homogenization: Principles and applications beyond microbial inactivation. Food Eng Rev. 2021;13(3):490–8. DOI: 10.1007/s12393-020-09239-8
Rendueles E, Omer MK, Alvseike O, Alonso-Calleja C, Capita R, Prieto M. Microbiological food safety assessment of high hydrostatic pressure processing: A review. LWT. 2011;44(5):1251–60. DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2010.11.001
Aganovic K, Hertel C, Vogel RF, Johne R, Schlüter O, Schwarzenbolz U, et al. Aspects of high hydrostatic pressure food processing: Perspectives on technology and food safety. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2021;20(4):3225–66. DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12763
Sheen S, Cassidy J, Scullen B, Uknalis J, Sommers C. Inactivation of Salmonella spp. in ground chicken using high pressure processing. Food Control. 2015;57:41–47. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2015.04.005
AL-Mamun M, Chowdhury T, Biswas B, Absar N. Food poisoning and intoxication: A global leading concern for human health [Internet]. In: Food Safety and Preservation; 2018. Chapter 11. Elsevier; p. 307–52. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-814956-0.00011-1
Lozova T. Modern scientific research of new methods of improving the quality and storage of bread. Her Lviv Univ Trade Econ Tech Sci. 2022;32:52–58. DOI: 10.36477/2522-1221-2022-32-07
Bernyk I, Kots I, Novgorodska N. Hydropulse equipment for intensification of massage processes and saturation of meat raw material ingredients. Food Resour. 2021;(17):22–32. DOI: 10.31073/foodresources2021-17-03
Podolak R, Whitman D, Black DG. Factors affecting microbial inactivation during high pressure processing in juices and beverages: A review. J Food Prot. 2020;83(9):1561–75. DOI: 10.4315/JFP-20-096
Huang HW, Wu SJ, Lu JK, Shyu YT, Wang CY. Current status and future trends of high-pressure processing in food industry. Food Control. 2017;72(Part A):1–8. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2016.07.019
de Alba M, Pérez-Andrés JM, Harrison SM, Brunton NP, Burgess CM, Kumar TB. High-pressure processing on microbial inactivation, quality parameters, and nutritional quality indices of mackerel fillets. Innov Food Sci Emerg Technol. 2019;55:80–87. DOI: 10.1016/j.ifset.2019.05.010
Liu F, Wang Y, Bi X, Guo X, Fu S, Liao X. Comparison of microbial inactivation and rheological characteristics of mango pulp after high hydrostatic pressure treatment and high temperature short time treatment. Food Bioprocess Technol. 2013; 6(10):2675–84. DOI: 10.1007/s11947-012-0953-z
Sehrawat R, Kaur BP, Nema PK, Tewari S, Kumar L. Microbial inactivation by high pressure processing: Principle, mechanism and factors responsible. Food Sci Biotechnol. 2021;30(1):19–35. DOI: 10.1007/s10068-020-00831-6
Dumay E, Chevalier-Lucia D, Picart-Palmade L, Benzaria A, Gràcia-Julià A, Blayo C. Technological aspects and potential applications of (ultra) high-pressure homogenisation. Trends Food Sci Technol. 2013;31(1):13–26. DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2012.03.005
Liu Y, Betti M, Gänzle MG. High pressure inactivation of Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni, and spoilage microbiota on poultry meat. J Food Prot. 2012;75(3):497–3. DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-11-316
Bièche C, de Lamballerie M, Chevret D, Federighi M, Tresse O. Dynamic proteome changes in Campylobacter jejuni 81-176 after high pressure shock and subsequent recovery. J Proteomics. 2012;75(4):1144–56. DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2011.10.028
Ceuppens S, Li D, Uyttendaele M, Renault P, Ross P, Van Ranst M, et al. Molecular methods in food safety microbiology: Interpretation and implications of nucleic acid detection. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2014;13(4):551–77. DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12072
Silva JL, Oliveira AC, Vieira TCRG, Oliveira GAP, Suarez MC, Foguel D. High-pressure chemical biology and biotechnology. Chem. Rev. 2014;114(14):7239–67. DOI: 10.1021/cr400204z
Bolumar T, Orlien V, Sikes A, Aganovic K, Bak KH, Guyon C, et al. High-pressure processing of meat: Molecular impacts and industrial applications. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2021;20(1):332–68. DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12670
Soni A, Oey I, Silcock P, Bremer P. Bacillus spores in the food industry: A review on resistance and response to novel inactivation technologies. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2016;15(6):1139–48. DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12231
Sarker MR, Akhtar S, Torres JA, Paredes-Sabja D. High hydrostatic pressure-induced inactivation of bacterial spores. Crit Rev Microbiol. 2015;41(1):18–26. DOI: 10.3109/1040841X.2013.788475
Mok JH, Sun Y, Pyatkovskyy T, Hu X, Sastry SK. Mechanisms of Bacillus subtilis spore inactivation by single- and multi-pulse high hydrostatic pressure (MP-HHP). Innov Food Sci Emerg Technol. 2022; 81:e103147. DOI: 10.1016/j.ifset.2022.103147
Zhou Y, Karwe M V., Matthews KR. Differences in inactivation of Escherichia coli O157: H7 strains in ground beef following repeated high pressure processing treatments and cold storage. Food Microbiol. 2016;58:7–12. DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2016.02.010
Rode TM, Hovda MB. High pressure processing extend the shelf life of fresh salmon, cod and mackerel. Food Control. 2016;70:242–48. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2016.05.045
Aaby K, Grimsbo IH, Hovda MB, Rode TM. Effect of high pressure and thermal processing on shelf life and quality of strawberry purée and juice. Food Chem. 2018;260:115–23. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.03.100
Yu Y, Pan F, Ramaswamy HS, Zhu S, Yu L, Zhang Q. Effect of soaking and single/two cycle high pressure treatment on water absorption, color, morphology and cooked texture of brown rice. J Food Sci Technol. 2017;54(6):1655–64. DOI: 10.1007/s13197-017-2598-4
Abera WG, Yildiz F. Review on high-pressure processing of foods. Cogent Food Agric. 2019;5(1):e1568725. DOI: 10.1080/23311932.2019.1568725
Balasubramaniam VMB, Martínez-Monteagudo SI, Gupta R. Principles and application of high pressure-based technologies in the food industry. Annu Rev Food Sci Technol. 2015;6:435–62. DOI: 10.1146/annurev-food-022814-015539
Stratakos AC, Inguglia ES, Linton M, Tollerton J, Murphy L, Corcionivoschi N, et al. Effect of high pressure processing on the safety, shelf life and quality of raw milk. Innov Food Sci Emerg Technol. 2019; 52:325–33. DOI: 10.1016/j.ifset.2019.01.009
Yang D, Li R, Dong P, Rao L, Wang Y, Liao X. Influence of pressurization rate and mode on cell damage of Escherichia coli and Staphyloccocus aureus by high hydrostatic pressure. Front Microbiol. 2023;14:e1108194. DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1108194
Allison A, Daniels E, Chowdhury S, Fouladkhah A. Effects of elevated hydrostatic pressure against mesophilic background microflora and habituated salmonella serovars in orange juice. Microorganisms. 2018;6(1):23. DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms6010023
Jofré A, Aymerich T, Bover-Cid S, Garriga M. Inactivation and recovery of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica and Staphylococcus aureus after high hydrostatic pressure treatments up to 900 MPa. Int Microbiol. 2010;13(3):105–12. DOI: 10.2436/20.1501.01.115
Kameník J, Dušková M, Dorotíková K, Hušáková M, Ježek F. The effect of high-pressure processing on the survival of non-O157 shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in steak tartare: The good- or best-case scenario? Microorganisms. 2023;11(2):377. DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020377
Jackowska-Tracz A, Tracz M. Effects of high hydrostatic pressure on Campylobacter jejuni in poultry meat. Pol J Vet Sci. 2015;18(2):261–66. DOI: 10.1515/pjvs-2015-0034
Lee SH, Choe J, Shin DJ, Yong HI, Choi Y, Yoon Y, Jo C. Combined effect of high pressure and vinegar addition on the control of Clostridium perfringens and quality in nitrite-free emulsion-type sausage. Innov Food Sci Emerg Technol. 2019;52:429–37. DOI: 10.1016/j.ifset.2019.02.006
Hsu HY, Sheen S, Sites J, Cassidy J, Scullen B, Sommers C. Effect of high pressure processing on the survival of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (Big Six vs. O157:H7) in ground beef. Food Microbiol. 2015;48:1–7. DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2014.12.002
Mukhopadhyay S, Sokorai K, Ukuku D, Fan X, Juneja V, Sites J, Cassidy J. Inactivation of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes in cantaloupe puree by high hydrostatic pressure with/without added ascorbic acid. Int J Food Microbiol. 2016;235:77–84. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2016.07.007
Gracia MJ, Lázaro R, Pérez-Arquillué C, Pagán R, Ramos S, Garcia JL, Bayarri S. High-pressure processing (HPP) of raw and dry-cured ham from experimentally infected pigs as a potential tool for the risk control of Toxoplasma gondii. Innov Food Sci Emerg Technol. 2020;61:e102315. DOI: 10.1016/j.ifset.2020.102315
Argyri AA, Papadopoulou OS, Nisiotou A, Tassou CC, Chorianopoulos N. Effect of high pressure processing on the survival of Salmonella Enteritidis and shelf-life of chicken fillets. Food Microbiol. 2018;70:55–64. DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2017.08.019
Gunther NW, Abdul-Wakeel A, Ramos R, Sheen S. Evaluation of hydrostatic high pressure and cold storage parameters for the reduction of Campylobacter jejuni in chicken livers. J Food Prot. 2019;82(6):1039–44. DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-18-469
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Bulletin of Medical and Biological Research

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.











