Method of sterilizing or inactivating heat-resistant spore-forming bacteria

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a revolutionary method for sterilizing or inactivating heat-resistant spore-forming bacteria capable of being carried out using simple equipment and providing reliable and sufficient sterilization effects, by reducing the heat resistance of heat resistant spore-forming bacteria due to the effects of a depressurization treatment during a high-pressure treatment, and performing a thermal sterilization treatment after a predetermined rest time has elapsed after the depressurization, to sterilize and inactivate the heat-resistant bacteria with reduced heat resistance. The sterilization or inactivation treatment method for heat-resistant spore-forming bacteria involves, as a pretreatment before a thermal sterilization treatment, subjecting the substance being treated to a high-pressure treatment of applying a hydrostatic pressure of at least 50 MPa and no more than 200 MPa at a temperature of 50 DEG C or less, then subjecting the substance being treated to a depressurization treatment, and after a predetermined rest time has elapsed since the variation in hydrostatic pressure has occurred due to this depressurization, subjecting the substance being treated, which has been subjected to the depressurization treatment, to a thermal sterilization treatment.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing or inactivating heat-resistant spores using the elapsed time after decompression treatment (after hydrostatic pressure fluctuation). Background technique [0002] Heat-resistant microorganisms that live in nature can mix with harvested agricultural products / fishery products, or processed foods that use them as raw materials, and adversely affect long-term storage. [0003] Most of these heat-resistant microorganisms are difficult to be sterilized by chemicals, electron beams, radiation, pressure sterilization, and heat sterilization. Sterilization)) to sterilize. [0004] This retort sterilization is carried out on canned or packaged food, but the original taste, aroma, and nutrients of the food may be destroyed, and the texture before sterilization may be lost in many cases. [0005] On the other hand, the following proposals have been proposed so far regarding the sterilization of heat-resis...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

That is, a sufficient bactericidal effect cannot be obtained under the condition of 200 MPa or less, which is also a low operating cost, with a low-cost device, and practical application is still difficult, and further research and its results are eagerly awaited (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-81036)

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