A note on the effect of combined ultrasonic and heat treatments on the survival of thermoduric streptococci

Abstract

The combined destructive effect of ultrasonic waves and heating on micro-organisms has been investigated using as a model two species of thermoduric streptococci. Ultrasonic and heat treatments applied simultaneously were much more destructive than the additive effect of the two agents considered independently. Compared with heat alone, the simultaneous application of ultrasonic vibration and heat reduced the resistance of the organisms 6-11 fold.