Why you sterlize at 121 Celsius temp for 15 minutes in autoclave?
The sterilisation temperature is defined by the spores of the
Geobacillus stearothermophilus. The spores have a D-value of 1,5
min @ 121°C.
D-value means decimal reduction criteria, so it means, that
after a treatment of 1,5 min (90 sec) at 121°C 90% of the bacillus
spores have "died".
For your process that means a 10x 90% reduction, a 10D concept.
This means after 15 min @ 121°C 99,99999999% of the spores of G.
stearothermophilus are "gone".
Usual, the food industry demands commercial sterility, which is
defined with a 12D concept.
The regular sterilization requirement is usually 20min @121°C
(or 5min @ 135°C). Where is your 15min@121°C sterization concept
used?
Cheers,
Abraxas