Effect of Irradiation Temperature on Inactivation of Clostridium botulinum Toxin Type E by Gamma Rays

Abstract
Summary: At an irradiation temperature of 32°F the inactivation curve for Clostridium botulinum type E toxin was characterized by an initial lag for the first 2 Mrad followed by an apparent linear portion represented by a D10 of 2.1 Mrad. The effect of irradiating at temperatures up to 117.5°F was only to shorten or eliminate the initial lag. A synergistic effect of irradiation temperature was indicated at 91.4 and 105.8°F, but at 117.5°F the toxin appeared more radioresistant.