Advances and Drawbacks of Sous-Vide Technique-A Critical Review

Abstract

The sous-vide (SV) technique, notable for its precision and ability to preserve food quality, has become a transformative method in culinary arts. This review examines the technical aspects, applications, and limitations of SV, focusing on its impact on food safety, nutritional retention, and quality parameters across various food matrices such as meats, seafood, vegetables, and semi-prepared products. Through an extensive literature review, the study highlights the use of natural inhibitors and essential oils to enhance microbial safety and explores the nutritional benefits of SV in preserving vitamins and minerals. The findings suggest that while SV offers significant benefits in terms of consistent results and extended shelf life, challenges remain in terms of equipment costs and the necessity for specific training, and although sufficient for food preparation/processing, its effectiveness in eliminating microbial pathogens, including viruses, parasites, and vegetative and spore forms of bacteria, is limited. Overall, the research underscores SV's adaptability and potential for culinary innovation, aligning with modern demands for food safety, quality, and nutritional integrity.

Keywords: food safety; nutritional retention; quality parameters; sous-vide.

Figure 1

Laboratory SV equipment. (source: https://www.sousvidetools.com/sous-vide (accessed on 25 June 2024)).

Figure 2

Armor Inox industrial line representation. Water tanks (red—hot water; blue—cold water) connected to cooking unit line (gray). (source: https://www.armorinox.com/en/equipment/thermix-sous-vide (accessed on 25 June 2024)).