Question

2. A food processor would be satisfied with a spoilage level of one pack or less in every 10,000. If the initial population of a target spoilage organism is 100 per pack, which sterilization process is adequate?

a sterilization value = 3D (D is the decimal reduction time)

b sterilization value = 5D

c sterilization value = 6D

d sterilization value = 12D

Please give the answer with explanation

Answer 1

The correct option will be c sterilization value = 6D.

The D-value is defined as the decimal decay time, i.e., it is the time required, at a specified temperature to reduce the microbial population to 10% of the initial

value.

For initial 100 spoilage organisms,

D1 reduces to 10 (10% of 100),

D2 reduces to 1 (10% of 10),

D3 reduces to 1/10 (10% of 1),

D4 reduces to 1/100,

D5 reduces to 1/1000, and

D6 reduces to 1/10000.

Finally, sterilization value D6 can achieve the adequate sterilization allowing a maximum of 1 out of 10000 to be spoiled.