Scheduling Sample Runs

The High Pressure Processing Laboratory will process your food product samples. Analytical and microbiology services are also on site and can assist you with meeting your project needs. Schedule a tour, send samples for processing, or set up a session to conduct processing to complete a design of experiments. We can assist packaging you samples on site, or you may choose to send us vacuum-packed samples that you have prepared at your facility. Here are some guidelines on the procedure to follow:

1. If you already know the parameters (pressure, hold time, desired start or end temperature) at which you wish to have your samples processed, already have acceptable packaging and don’t need any additional testing, call or email our laboratory manager Steve Stephens (402-471-2901; sstephens2@unl.edu) and he will work with you to find a date and time that is available and convenient. Once the schedule is set, you can ship the samples to the lab. We will process the samples, and then ship the samples back to you within 36 hours of processing.
2. If you do not know what processing parameters should be used, or have packaging concerns that must be addressed, call or email the HPP laboratory and we can help you determine what is best for your product. Once these questions are resolved, we can schedule a date and time for the processing, and then proceed as above.
3. If a project requires more planning such as shelf-life studies, microbial studies, Non-disclosure agreements (NDA), please contact Steve Stephens to start the following steps:
1. If an NDA is desired, The Food Processing Center (FPC) has a NDA available.
2. Detailed Proposal: We can develop a detailed proposal for your HPP application. The proposal will describe the scope of work and specify who is responsible for each portion of the work will be created. This proposal will also include an estimate for the cost of the work.  We can accommodate the following arrangements:
1. Perform only the HPP portion and have the samples returned to the client for testing.
2. Conduct the HPP work and do additional testing (physical properties, sensory properties, microbial studies, etc.)
3. We will work with you to customize the project to your needs.
3. Once the proposal is acceptable to both sides, we can start the research.

Charges and Payment:
Machine time is available in quarter (2 hours), half day (4 hours), and whole day (8 hours) increments. The minimum time to be charged is a quarter day. Please call for pricing (402-472-2901).

Packaging:
Samples must be appropriately packaged for HPP. i.e., vacuum packed in plastic bags/flexible containers (it must be somewhat flexible). Glass and metal are not permitted as these materials do withstand the rigorous processing conditions). Samples must be sized to fit into a 2 liter basket with an opening of 2.5 inches.  Please confirm the size of your packages before sending samples for processing.

Pathogens and Inoculated Samples:
Samples that have been inoculated with pathogens must be vacuumed sealed and the outside of the package disinfected.  All samples from on-campus must follow the packaging protocol as shown in the flow chart below.

Proper packaging of samples for high pressure processing (HPP) is critical in order to safeguard the HPP vessel from contamination and damage as well as to protect operators and food grade areas from cross contamination from pathogens, or other biohazards.