Thermal Death of Microorganisms

A Heuristic Tutorial

NB: This is a work in progress. It is posted in this incomplete form so that anyone who may come across it will have the opportunity to send me comments or suggestions. The document will eventually be made interactive, with simple calculations, etc. Figures and charts will also be incorporated. I will add proper credits and references in due course. I hope this material will be an aid to understanding the various terms employed, properly or improperly, in the industry.

To send comments or suggestions use the Sterilization Tutorial Feedback Form

Contents:
1. Introduction.
2. The Kinetics of Thermal Death.
3. Failure of the Model.
4. Some Common Measurements, or more accurately, Some Common Calculations.
5. The Decimal Reduction Time.
6. Temperature Effects. The Z Value.
7. In for the Kill.
8. The Quest for Sterilization. Thermal Death Time and the F Value.
9. Sterilization Cycles.
More to come. Check back later. This is a work in progress, and is offered as a service. If you would like to comment on this tutorial, or suggest changes or additions please

The Hyperion Home Page