Thermal Inactivation of <i>Clostridium perfringens</i> Enterotoxin in Buffer and in Chicken Gravy

Abstract

ABSTRACT The time‐temperature relationships for the inactivation of purified enterotoxin prepared from Clostridium perfringens were determined by Vero cell assay in two different heating menstrua. Enterotoxin diluted to an initial concentration of 12.5 μg/g in chicken gravy and in 0.1M phosphate buffer both at pH 6.1 was heated at temperatures of 59–65°C. Average inactivation times in gravy ranged from 72.8–1.5 min and in buffer from 149.4–2.4 min.