INACTIVATION OF CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM TYPE E SPORES BY HIGH PRESSURE PROCESSING

The effect of high pressure treatments at various temperature combinations on the inactivation of Clostridium botulinum type E spores of strains, Alaska and Beluga in phosphate buffer (0.067 M, pH 7.0) was investigated. No reduction of spores was observed at any pressurization (Maximum = 827 MPa) for temperatures below 35C. At pressurization of 827 MPa for 5 min, log unit reduction of spores increased as temperatures increased from 35 to 55C. An increase in the processing time from 5 to 10 min at a combination of high pressure (827 MPa) and low temperature (40C) resulted in a 5-log reduction of Alaska spores. About 5-log reductions for strains Alaska and Beluga occurred at 50 and 55C, respectively, after processing at pressures of 827 MPa for 5 min.