At the end of this module, you will be able to:
This module is about how to conduct thermal process calculations using the General Method. First, you will learn about what we mean by a commercially sterile product.
In a previous module, you learned about D value and F value. In the next video, you will learn how to develop a mathematical relationship between the F and D values. Understanding this relationship is necessary for methods used in thermal process calculations.
In the next video, you will learn what is meant by process lethality or F value. Using numerical examples, you will develop an understanding of the equivalency of one process with another and learn how to convert F values.
A procedure commonly used for thermal process calculations is called the General Method. In this method, we combine the temperature-time data obtained from a heat penetration curve with the thermal characteristics of a microorganism to calculate a thermal process. In the next video, you will learn how to use the General Method for thermal process calculations. You will use a numerical example using a spreadsheet to illustrate the use of this method.
Recap
In the module, you learned what is meant by commercial sterility. You learned the use of the General Method to calculate a thermal process. You also learned a slightly modified procedure, called Improved General Method, as used in the food industry for these calculations. The virtual experiment allowed you to conduct a what-if analysis of changing retort temperature and its influence on the lethality of a process.