Description: Multiple sensor-type system for monitoring the microbicidal effectiveness of aseptic sterilisation processes

This title appears in the Scientific Report : 2015

Multiple sensor-type system for monitoring the microbicidal effectiveness of aseptic sterilisation processes

The present work describes a novel multiple sensor-type system for the real-time analysis of aseptic sterilisation processes employing gaseous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a sterilant. The inactivation kinetics of Bacillus atrophaeus by gaseous H2O2 have been investigated by means of a methodical cal...

Personal Name(s):	Reisert, S.
	Geissler, H. / Weiler, C. / Wagner, P. / Schöning, Michael J. (Corresponding author)
Contributing Institute:	Bioelektronik; PGI-8
Published in:	Food control, 47 (2015) S. 615 - 622
Imprint:	Amsterdam [u.a.] Elsevier Science 2015
DOI:	10.1016/j.foodcont.2014.07.063
Document Type:	Journal Article
Research Program:	Controlling Configuration-Based Phenomena
	Publikationsportal JuSER

Please use the identifier: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2014.07.063 in citations.

The present work describes a novel multiple sensor-type system for the real-time analysis of aseptic sterilisation processes employing gaseous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a sterilant. The inactivation kinetics of Bacillus atrophaeus by gaseous H2O2 have been investigated by means of a methodical calibration experiment, taking into account the process variables H2O2 concentration, humidity and gas temperature. It has been found that the microbicidal effectiveness at H2O2 concentrations above 2% v/v is largely determined by the concentration itself, while at lower H2O2 concentrations, the gas temperature and humidity play a leading role. Furthermore, the responses of different types of gas sensors towards the influencing factors of the sterilisation process have been analysed within the same experiment. Based on a correlation established between the inactivation kinetics and the sensor responses, a calorimetric H2O2 sensor and a metal-oxide semiconductor (MOX) sensor have been identified as possible candidates for monitoring the microbicidal effectiveness of aseptic sterilisation processes employing gaseous H2O2. Therefore, two linear models that describe the relationship between sensor response and microbicidal effectiveness have been proposed.