COVID 19 virus elimination from food using microwave oven

Abstract

The worldwide spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) famously known as the COVID-19 pandemic is making shocking sceneries all over the globe. The COVID-19 virus can survive on the surface of several materials and infect the person that comes in contact with that surface during the virus lifespan. Therefore, it is recommended to ensure that bacteria, microorganisms, and viruses, including COVID-19, are eliminated from food surfaces. In this work, a study has been conducted based on COMSOL Multiphysics to evaluate the temperature at micro-droplet surfaces located at different positions and locations in microwave ovens, which are used globally to reheat food. It was found that the micro-droplet surface temperature within two and a half minutes is enough to kill the bacterial and viral microorganisms on the droplet surface. As COVID cannot tolerate 70 °C temperature, within this time, it can be eliminated from the food surface. The time requirement can be shortened by using high-power microwave ovens.