BACILLUS-CEREUS AND BACILLUS-STEAROTHERMOPHILUS SPORE INACTIVATION INBATCH AND CONTINUOUS-FLOW SYSTEMS

Thermal inactivation kinetics were evaluated in batch and continuous f low systems using phosphate buffer between 99 and 107 degrees C for Ba cillus cereus T and 128.5 and 139 degrees C for Bacillus stearothermop hilus ATCC 12980 spores. z(D)-Values for B. cereus spores in batch and continuous flow systems were not significantly different; the continu ous flow system was more lethal than the batch system. z(D)-Values obt ained using B. stearothermophilus spores in batch and continuous flow systems were different; the batch system was more lethal than the cont inuous flow system. Thus, use of batch generated data to predict or de sign continuous flow processes may not be accurate.