High pressure processing technology and equipment evolution: A review

High pressure processing (HPP) is an interesting non-thermal technology that involves the sterilization of food by the mean of ultra-high pressures, which lead to extending the shelf life of processed food, as well as maintaining nutritional value and quality of food products. The consumers' increasing demand for this new products graped the interest of several already-existing high pressure equipment manufacturers around the globe. The successful of this technology encouraged them to enter the field of food processing and adjust their existing technologies to adapt to the new process. This review spots the major discoveries in HPP equipment history, describes the current applications of HHP in processing and provides comprehensive information about HPP equipment technology used in commercial and research applications. In addition, this paper presents the major manufacturers in HPP equipment industry around the world. © 2015 Kavala Institute of Technology.