Analysis and Optimization of the Effect of Process Parameters of Silver Anode Technique on Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Raw Milk

Abstract

The present research aimed to experimentally and statistically investigate the effects of current and time parameters on the inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 using the silver anode technique. Accordingly, cold raw milk was divided into groups and the experimental design was carried out according to the Taguchi L₁₆ index. Four levels of current intensity (5, 10, 15, and 20 µA) and duration (15, 30, 45, and 60 sec) were selected as the process parameters, and the bacterial colony count was chosen as the output parameter. The bacteria were inoculated into raw milk, stored in the cold and the silver anode technique was applied. After incubation Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial colony counts were determined. Experimentally-obtained bacterial colony counts were statistically analyzed using the Taguchi method, ANOVA, and regression analysis. The optimum process parameters for the lowest bacterial colony count (Nc) were 20 µA current and 60-second duration. Also according to the variance analysis results, the current intensity was the most effective process parameter on the bacterial colony counts. The regression model developed to estimate the output parameter (bacterial colony counts) yielded successful results with a high determination coefficient (R²) of 96.26%.

Keywords:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa; raw milk; silver anode; antibacterial effect; Taguchi.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Strong antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of the Silver Anode Technique were observed against P. aeruginosa.

• Determining the optimum parameters is important in preventing time and quality losses in terms of the dairy sector.

• Optimum process parameters for the lowest bacterial colony count were determined as 20 µA current and 60 seconds time with the Taguchi method.