Simulation of the Influence of Temperature on the Dynamic Process of Electroporation Based on Finite Element Analysis

Pulsed electric fields (PEFs) had the potential to be a new pasteurization technology due to its advantages of energy-saving, high efficiency, and less influence on food quality based on the electroporation effect of PEF on microorganisms. At the same time, temperature played a significant role in the electroporation process. We established a two-membrane dielectric model that coupled temperature and PEF to study the influence of temperature on the dynamic process of electroporation. In this model, we considered both the effect of Joule heat on temperature generated by PEF and the effect of temperature on the conductivity of suspension, cytoplasm, nucleus, the characteristic voltage of electroporation, and molecules transport. The simulation results showed that under the higher ambient temperature, the transmembrane voltage of the cell membrane after electroporation could be stabilized at a higher value, the maximum value of membrane conductivity and pore density on the cell membrane was higher. The relationship between pore radius and temperature was simulated. What is more, temperature facilitated molecules transport, which intensified the destruction of cell homeostasis.

Automated summary

The study established a two-membrane dielectric model that coupled temperature and PEF to investigate the influence of temperature on the dynamic process of electroporation. Results showed that temperature played a significant role in the electroporation process and facilitated molecules transport, intensifying the destruction of cell homeostasis.