Uso de um sistema indicador biologico na avaliação do valor de esterilização aplicado a pure de cenoura processado em retorta rotativa

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

1995

RESUMO

Aimmning to employ the biological indicator technique to monitor sterilization process delivered to canned food processed in agitating retort, this work was carried out in three phases: 1- preparation and calibration of sterilization biological indicator units (BIUs) for thermo-processed canned food; 2- design of preservation process for diluted (50% pH 5.3) carrot puree considering burden of target microorganism isolated from the raw material; and 3- evaluation of BIUs efficiency in measuring the biological sterilization values (Fo-BIO) delivered to the product by comparison with physical sterilization values (Fo-FIS) determined with time-temperature data from thermocouple equiped cans. BIUs were made of plastic rods (Nylon 6.6; 70.0 mm h x 6.0 mm D.E.) inoculated in its inner cavity with 0.3 ml of spore suspension of B. stearothermophihts (ATCC 7953), A mini-retort was designed and built to be used as resistometer in the BIU thermal resistance and calibration studies. Results of heat distribution studies in the MR at 115.0 , 121.0 and 123.0 °C indicated that the equipment is adequate for such purpose. Calibration curves were built at 121.0 and 123.0 °C, both presenting correlation coeficient above 0,95. Only the calibration curve at 121.0 °C was employed, and with this curve, the number of survivors por BIU obtained in each ran was related to sterilization value (U mm) at calibration temperature. To stablish the preservation process required by the product, it was taken into consideration; the thermophilic burden in the product (aprox. 4,0 x 10E2/can); the resistance of themophilic flat sour isolated from the product; and a rigid thermal process with 2 levels of survivors , probahty of non sterile unit = 10E-6 and 10E-3. Duplicate tests were carried out at 115.0 and 121.0 °C to obtain the required F-values of 15 and 10 rain. An agitating retort Rotopax (Allpax Prod. Inc.) was used to process the product, therefore the heat distribution pattern in the basket was determined. With the results of heat uniformity and stability in the retort, it could be observed that maximum temperature variation among positions was 0.5 °C during sterilization III. These results were considered satisfactory, being in accordance to published performance requirements for this type of equipments. Once determined the slowest heating zone, (frontal area close to the door) the tests were carried out in this area. Sterilization values obtained from BIUs after each process, F-BIO values (at calibration temperature based on z-value of the indicator organism in the BIU) were corrected to Fo-BIO (at reference temperature, based on z-value of C. botulinum = 10,0 ° C), using the 3 step correction of PFLUG and CHRISTENSEN (1980). This was named Fo-BIOPF. Another correction was made using methodology of HAYAKAWA (1977) to calculate Fo-BIO, due to fact that, the product studied presented broken heating curve. This was named Fo-BIOHW. In the comparison of Fo-BÍOPF , Fo-BIOHW and Fo-FIS, it was observed that in general Fo-BÍO values were 5 to 15% lower that Fo-FiS for tests run at 121°C. For tests at 115°C, Fo-BÍOPF values were 24 to 32% higher than Fo-FIS, while Fo-BÍOHW were consistently 2 to 12% lower than Fo-FIS. This difference may be due to limitation imposed by the correction of PFLUG and CHRISTENSEN (1980). But, biological measures presented little variability as determined by the coefficient of variation (C.V.% = 3,5), and physical measures variated to a little higher level (C.V.% = 5,0), therefore, the method was considered reproductible. The results of this study indicated that according to the magnitude of differences found among sterilization values biologically and physically determined, BlUs properly calibrated may be used to monitor/validate the lethality applied during the processing of canned food in agitating retorts.

ASSUNTO(S)

alimentos - esterilização indicadores (biologia)

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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