| Abstract: | The inactivation reaction of the proteinase of a P. fluorescens strain of biotype I in milk was investigated at 130-150 degrees C, also in milk and in buffer with and without added CaCl2 at temperatures below 100 degrees C. The decline in activity corresponded to first order kinetics in the UHT region; Ea = 115 kJ/mol. D values were 290 (130 degrees C), 124 (140 degrees C) and 54 s (150 degrees C); therefore, the usual temperature time combinations of UHT treatment are not sufficient to achieve the required rates of inactivation. At temperatures below 80 degrees C, inactivation corresponded increasingly to second order kinetics with considerably higher reaction rates; at 55 degrees C, an inactivation reaction corresponding to that induced by UHT treatment could be achieved at a thermal stress lower by a factor of 500. This "low temperature inactivation" was observed in a further 20 strains representing the spectrum of P. fluorescens. The average rates of inactivation following heat treatment in milk for 20 min are 47% at 55 degrees C and 44% at 60 degrees C. This can be regarded as the most effective temperature range for the inactivation of the proteinases in milk. Clear connections can be seen between the biotype groups and the optimum temperature for inactivation: biotype group I ca. 55 degrees C, group II (with a few exceptions) less than or equal to 50 degrees C and group III greater than or equal to 60 degrees C. The inactivation reaction is systematically influenced by the proteins and Ca++ ions present in milk. |
