1 reply to this topic

[RAJEEV SANKAR]

Dear all,

High TPC is found in Ginger Ground evenafter sterilising the raw material. When we test the steriliser output, Total Plate count results are well within the limit(< 50 cfu/g). But ,when the product is tested after milling TPC upto the level of 50,000 to 5 ,00,000 cfu/g is observed. We suspect that this could be due to the presence of aerobic sporeforming bacteria in the raw material which will not get eliminated evenafter sterilisation.

What could be the exact reason for this increase in TPC?


Rajeev Sankar

[Charles.C]

Dear all,

High TPC is found in Ginger Ground evenafter sterilising the raw material. When we test the steriliser output, Total Plate count results are well within the limit(< 50 cfu/g). But ,when the product is tested after milling TPC upto the level of 50,000 to 5 ,00,000 cfu/g is observed. We suspect that this could be due to the presence of aerobic sporeforming bacteria in the raw material which will not get eliminated evenafter sterilisation.

What could be the exact reason for this increase in TPC?


Rajeev Sankar

Dear Rajeev Sankar,

Several obvious possibilities including the one you mention -

Inadequate sterilisation process >> temporary reduction in TPC, possibly due to high bacterial input levels.
Post heating contamination, eg cross-contamination, equipment, handling, delays

Difficult to speculate much more without knowledge of the process (T,t) and raw material input data.

History of process may also be relevant, eg new process ? old process which previously no problem ?? modification ? change in environment ?

Rgds / Charles.C