Low field MRI study of the potato cell membrane electroporation by pulsed electric field

• Published in: Journal of food engineering Vol. 231; pp. 54 - 60
• Main Authors: Suchanek, M., Olejniczak, Z.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2018
• Subjects: Electrical breakdown; Electroporation; Ion migration; Low field MRI; Pulsed electric fields; Pulsed electric fields; Electroporation; Low field MRI; Electrical breakdown; Ion migration
• ISSN: 0260-8774; 1873-5770
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2018.03.002

The effects of high voltage pulsed electric fields (PEF) applied to potato tubers were examined by the contrast enhanced, low field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This is a non-destructive, and relatively inexpensive method that allows to monitor the spatial distribution of damages caused by the pulses and their evolution in time. The MRI results confirmed the irreversible damage of the potato tuber cell membranes caused by the PEF treatment, leading to non-selective flow of ions. The extent of electroporation was also evaluated by electrical conductivity measurements, as well as by compression tests and compared with the MRI. On the basis of these results, the PEF method can be optimized in applications aiming at the increase of the permeability of potato cell membranes. •Low field MRI method was proposed to study the electroporation in potato tissue caused by pulsed electric field.•MRI contrast agent (CA) was applied during the imaging procedure to differentiate various tissues.•The extent of the cell membrane electroporation in potato tubers was determined.•The MRI results were confirmed by the conductivity measurements and compression tests.