Effect of Ohmic Heating on Food Products: An In-Depth Review Approach Associated with Quality Attributes

Abstract

Nowadays, the market is full of lists of products produced by way of vivid processing, blended formulation, and other novel formulation practices. In a similar vein, ohmic heating (OH) has proven to be a successful replacement for traditional procedures. Although the microbial burden is substantially reduced, the aforementioned method also controls the sensory and functional qualities of meals. OH is regarded as a thermal treatment option that is less damaging to food constituents in comparison to traditional thermal methods. The said processing method retains vivid food constituents that are widely acknowledged under the significant nutritional and functional category, hence addressing healthy longevity. Furthermore, OH is the least severe category of thermal operation in competition with the most technologically advanced food processing operations. The current study emphasizes the crucial relevance of knowing the effects of OH on food ingredients, which will serve as a basis for optimizing this novel approach for a wide range of food products. The effects of OH on quality characteristics such as color, flavor, and texture are thoroughly investigated, offering vital insights into OH’s capacity to maintain and enhance the sensory aspects of food items. Furthermore, the study looks at the effect of OH on nutritional contents, emphasizing the need to strike a careful balance between ensuring microbiological safety and retaining the nutritional integrity of treated foods. This literature survey closely examines the impact of OH on microorganisms, enzymes, color, and rheological and textural attributes of food, along with the deterioration of diverse bioactive substances, including phenolics and carotenoids, as well as vitamins. Besides, the paper explains the effect of the inactivation mechanism of microorganisms. The findings serve as a platform for future research and development, as well as a road map for the effective deployment and commercialization of OH technology in a variety of food industries.