Real-Time Measure of Quantitative Microbial Spore Kill Within a Dry Heat Sterilization Process
The D-value study contained in the CPAC Equipment, Inc. (CPAC) White Paper: “RapidHeat™ High-Velocity Hot Air Sterilization” presents the mechanisms and data needed to create an equation that can mathematically determine incremental amounts of microbial spore kill during a sterilization cycle. This equation, derived from the semi-log plotting of seven D-values from 250°F to 320°F,a range of temperatures used in steam and dry heat sterilization, plays a crucial role in understanding and controlling thermal sterilization processes. The plot demonstrated remarkable linearity and similarity to data obtained by NASA, the high-level research pioneer in the efficacy of the dry heat sterilization process. The linearity shown in CPAC’s data, with very little data point deviation, provides a solid basis for using an equation allowing D-values to be established across a broad range of temperatures.
