How to Apply Hurdle Technology? Explained

Examples are presented on the applications of hurdle technology or combine method of food preservation. Jam and minimally processed papaya are considered to explain how hurdles are used in these products. In the case of jam, seven hurdles are used, i.e. washing, F-value (i.e. heating), water activity (aw) (i.e. sugars and salts), pH (i.e. citric acid), redox potential (Eh) (i.e. low oxygen), cooling (i.e. low exposure in the danger zone), and storage temperature (i.e. temperature control). Minimally processed papaya is also explained based on the hurdle technology. In this case, four hurdles are used. These are blanching (i.e. F-value), dipping (i.e. preservatives, potassium metabisulfite, sodium benzoate), and packaging, and storage temperature.

Vijayanand, P., Nair, K. K. S., Narasimham, P. 2001. Preservation of pineapple, mango and papaya chunks by hurdle technology. Journal of Food Science and Technology 38(1): 26-31.