LINEAR-ARRHENIUS MODELS FOR BACTERIAL-GROWTH AND DEATH AND VITAMIN DENATURATIONS

The development of the quantitative, linear-Arrhenius model of Davey for predicting bacterial growth and death (inactivation) is reviewed. The applicability of the model to published data from independent researchers for both the growth phase and lag phase, involving combined environmental factors (T, a(w)) is illustrated. Also illustrated is its applicability to thermal inactivation kinetics and vitamin denaturation (with combined T, pH). Integration of the model to produce complex models describing the thermal sterilization of liquid is demonstrated. Advantages of the model, including its simplicity and the fact that the coefficients to build the model can be obtained easily by relatively unsophisticated users, are highlighted in a comparison with other models.