Extension of the Generalized Sterilization Chart for Combined Temperature and pH

Abstract

A practical procedure is presented to predict the influence of combined temperature and pH on the exposure time for sterilization. The procedure consists of the generalized temperature dependent sterilization chart and, an equation for combined thermal-pH kinetics. It is illustrated using Clostridium botulinum spores in a range of foods. The value of sterilization temperature is chosen to simulate conditions used in commercial processing. The procedure could be used with this and other bacterial contaminants in different foods. © 1993 Academic Press Limited.