Sterilizers

Category: Food Processing Machinery

Summary: Heat food to kill all microorganisms.

Sterilizers in food processing machinery are used to eliminate all viable microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and spores, from food products or packaging materials. This process, called sterilization, goes beyond pasteurization, which primarily targets harmful bacteria.

Function: Sterilization aims to:

    1. Make food products shelf-stable at room temperature for extended periods.

    2. Prevent food spoilage and foodborne illness.

Mechanism: Sterilization typically involves:

    1. High heat treatment, often using steam under pressure (autoclaving).

    2. Other methods like irradiation may also be used in some cases.

Applications: Sterilizers are crucial for:

    1. Canning of fruits, vegetables, and meats.

    2. Packaging of aseptic food products (e.g., UHT milk).

    3. Treatment of food processing equipment and packaging materials.