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Inactivation of Brucella spp. in milk during high temperature short time treatment
Project
Project code: MRI-MBT-08-2021-2
Contract period: 01.01.2021
- 30.06.2022
Purpose of research: Applied research
Disease caused by Brucella melitensis (and also B. abortus and B. suis) is endemic in many developing countries and quite frequent. Food borne disease often is transmitted via non or underheated milk and products made thereof. Human brucellosis also occurs regularly in Germany, however only at a low incidence (+/- 20 cases annually). Inactivation data for brucellae in milk were generated for the last time in 1953. Recent own experiments with other zoonotic agents (Mycobacterium caprae, Coxiella burnetii) showed that such old data cannot be compared to those generated with modern technology. To improve global food safety, a sound database for process evaluation and/or process design is necessary especially in developing countries, to optimize local milk heat-treatment processes. According to biosafety regulations, experiments for thermal inactivation of brucellae must be performed in biosafety level 3 designated laboratories which, in addition, need technological equipment comparable to pasteurizers used in food industry practice. Availability of such a pasteurization facility is a unique feature of the MRI location in Kiel. Aim of the proposed study is the generation of kinetic data for thermal inactivation of brucellae (D- and z-values) and possibly to determine molecular bases for heat resistance.
Section overview
Subjects
- Food Processing
- Food microbiology
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
MRI - Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology (MRI-MBT)