In a groundbreaking advancement for seafood preservation, researchers have unveiled a novel method utilizing intense pulsed light (IPL) to effectively maintain fish quality by achieving potent microbial inactivation and controlling ATP degradation. This pioneering approach, described in a study set to reshape food safety and storage protocols, offers a non-thermal, chemical-free solution to the longstanding problem of fish spoilage, marrying technology with sustainability. The method’s efficacy heralds promising implications for reducing food waste and enhancing consumer safety globally.
The research delves into the mechanics of IPL, a technology that applies short bursts of broad-spectrum light, delivering a high-intensity energy dose without raising temperatures to harmful levels. This precision enables a dual benefit: decimating microbial populations responsible for spoilage, and slowing down enzymatic reactions that lead to ATP breakdown, a key indicator of freshness. By addressing these two critical spoilage factors simultaneously, IPL emerges as a transformative tool in cold chain management and post-harvest processing.
Microbial contamination has long been the nemesis of seafood quality. Traditional methods like freezing, salting, or chemical preservatives, while partially effective, often compromise taste, texture, or nutritional profile. In contrast, IPL’s non-invasive nature preserves sensory attributes, thus maintaining fish’s natural organoleptic properties. The approach leverages ultraviolet and visible light spectra, inducing structural damage in bacterial and fungal cells, leading to their swift inactivation without leaving chemical residues—a crucial advantage for compliance with stringent food safety regulations.
The study highlights the kinetics of microbial reduction, demonstrating that IPL treatment results in substantial log reductions of common spoilage organisms and foodborne pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella species. These findings are vital in light of increasing incidences of seafood-related outbreaks, emphasizing a need for innovative preservation techniques that not only safeguard health but also extend shelf life, enabling longer distribution chains and reducing losses at retail and consumer levels.
Furthermore, ATP degradation control emerges as a critical metric in assessing fish freshness. ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, naturally degrades post-mortem, catalyzing the breakdown of muscle and accelerating spoilage. By applying IPL, researchers observed a significant retardation of this degradation process. This delay is attributed to IPL’s ability to inhibit ATP-degrading enzymes, thereby stabilizing the biochemical milieu within fish tissues and preserving their texture and flavor.
In-depth analysis reveals that IPL operates through photochemical and photothermal effects that disrupt cellular metabolism. The energy absorbed interferes with nucleic acids and proteins of microbial cells, leading to lethal damages such as DNA strand breaks and membrane destabilization. Simultaneously, IPL influences endogenous enzymes responsible for ATP hydrolysis, mitigating their activity and slowing post-mortem biochemical shifts that negatively impact fish quality.
Crucially, IPL’s rapid application time—ranging from seconds to a few minutes—is compatible with industrial processing speeds, enhancing its market feasibility. Unlike conventional thermal treatments, it avoids the pitfalls of heat-induced quality deterioration, making it particularly suitable for delicate seafood products. This feature expands IPL’s utility beyond mere preservation to possibly enhancing product safety across the entire supply chain, from fishermen and processors to distributors and retailers.
The environmental ramifications are equally compelling. By minimizing spoilage and extending freshness windows, IPL can contribute to reducing food waste, which constitutes a significant global sustainability challenge. The method’s low energy demands and elimination of chemical preservatives align well with green processing principles, potentially positioning IPL as a key technology in the future of sustainable food systems.
Researchers also examined the scalability of IPL systems, which can be integrated into conveyor lines or batch processing units. The flexibility of IPL apparatus design allows customization for different fish species and product formats, ranging from whole fish to fillets and even processed seafood items. This adaptability opens pathways for widespread industry adoption, essential for addressing the diverse needs of global seafood markets.
Sensory evaluations complement the biochemical and microbiological assessments, showing that treated fish retain desirable texture, color, and flavor profiles comparable to fresh controls. Consumer acceptability tests further underscored the technology’s advantage—fish subjected to IPL treatment were favored for their freshness and natural taste, indicating a potential for enhanced market competitiveness.
Moreover, the study elucidates the implication of IPL in controlling biogenic amines, compounds that emerge from spoilage and pose health risks when consumed in high amounts. By curbing microbial activity and enzymatic spoilage pathways, IPL reduces biogenic amine accumulation, thereby improving not just freshness but also food safety from a toxicological perspective.
Beyond preservation, the research paves the way for IPL’s application in real-time quality monitoring, leveraging light-induced fluorescence and other optical markers associated with ATP and microbial metabolites. Such innovations could revolutionize quality assurance protocols in seafood processing, enabling rapid, non-destructive assessment tools for producers and regulators alike.
In conclusion, the integration of IPL technology in fish preservation represents an impactful leap forward in food science, promising improved shelf life, safety, and sensory quality without compromise. This advancement provides an actionable solution to urgent industry challenges, setting a new standard for seafood freshness in an increasingly demanding global market where quality and safety are paramount.
As seafood supply chains grapple with unpredictability and the escalating demand for high-quality, safe products, IPL stands out as a beacon of innovation. Its ability to bridge microbiological control with metabolic stability signals a paradigm shift towards more intelligent and refined preservation tactics. Industries poised to adopt this technology may reap benefits in operational efficiency, resource conservation, and consumer satisfaction.
Future research trajectories will likely explore the synergistic effects of combining IPL with other preservation modalities, such as modified atmosphere packaging or refrigeration optimization, potentially unlocking unprecedented preservation capabilities. Additionally, broader assessments on IPL effects across diverse aquatic species and processed seafood could deepen understanding and expand applicability.
In the wake of these promising discoveries, the adoption of intense pulsed light as a core strategy for preserving fish quality may soon transcend experimental confines and become a staple in seafood processing worldwide. This breakthrough propels us closer to realizing a vision where freshness, safety, and sustainability coalesce seamlessly in the food we consume.
Subject of Research: Preservation of fish quality through application of intense pulsed light technology focusing on microbial inactivation and ATP degradation control.
Article Title: Preserving fish quality through intense pulsed light: microbial inactivation and ATP degradation control.
Article References:
Ryu, DH., Choi, HJ., Lee, JY. et al. Preserving fish quality through intense pulsed light: microbial inactivation and ATP degradation control. Food Sci Biotechnol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-025-02053-0
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: 06 December 2025
