Abstract
Summary: The heat resistance of spores of Clostridium botulinum strain 213B heated in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) was determined over the temperature range 120 to 140°C using a computer controlled thermoresistometer. The predicted D121°C value of approximately 0.13 min and z value of 11.0°C (obtained by linear regression) was close to the classical D121°C of 0.2 min and z value of 10°C used in process calculations. These data indicated that, according to the heat resistance of this culture, the z value of C. botulinum can be considered constant over the whole range 120 to 140°C. This also provided support for the recommended classical process calculations, using a z value of 10.0°C, being adequate if extrapolated to 140°C.