Bacillus cereus and Bacillus stearothermophilus Spore Inactivation in Batch and Continuous Flow Systems

Abstract

ABSTRACTThermal inactivation kinetics were evaluated in batch and continuous flow systems using phosphate buffer between 99 and 107°C for Bacillus cereus T and 128.5 and 139°C for Bacillus stearothermoohilus ATCC 12980 spores. zD‐Values for B. cereus spores in batch aid continuous flow systems were not significantly different; the continuous flow system was more lethal than the batch system. zD‐Values obtained using B. stearothermophilus spores in batch and continuous flow systems were different; the batch system was more lethal than the continuous flow system. Thus, use of batch generated data to predict or design continuous flow processes may not be accurate.