An Experimental Design for Determination of D‐values Describing Inactivation Kinetics of Bacterial Spores; Design Parameters Selected Using Computer Simulation

Abstract

An improved experimental design is proposed for studies of bacterial extinction. The new design may be used for either inoculated pack or model system studies. The design uses variable spore loads, and judiciously spaced time points (or doses) with a variable number of replicates over a selected range. A computer simulation of the process simplifies parameter selection in an economic way. The improved design results in more useable data points over an increased range leading to more accurate estimates of the D-value with the same level of experimental effort used in current experiments.