Reaction kinetic interpretation of heat destruction influenced by environmental factors

Based on reaction kinetics and thermodynamic considerations a mathematical model was developed to describe the thermal death rate of microbes as a function of environmental factors such as temperature, water activity, pH and redox potential. The mathematical model is discussed and validated by fitting to data sets of heat destruction of Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus plantarum. The mathematical analysis of the kinetic model and the parameters of the model fitting demonstrate its applicability both for the prediction of the heat destruction rate and estimation of the thermodynamic parameters of heat destruction.