Question

The time required for stipulated destruction of a microbial population at a given temperature is

• A. D-value
• B. F-value
• C. z-value
• D. Q$_{10}$ value

Hint:

D-value = 90% kill time; F-value = total sterilization time; z-value = temperature sensitivity; Q$_{10}$ = reaction rate increase with temperature.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Define the terms
D-value (Decimal reduction time): Time (at a given temperature) required to reduce microbial population by 90% (1 log cycle).
F-value: Total time required at a given temperature to achieve stipulated microbial destruction (sterilization standard). This is used in food microbiology/sterilization processes.
z-value: Temperature change required to change the D-value by a factor of 10. It indicates temperature sensitivity.
Q$_{10$ value:} Rate of increase in reaction velocity for a 10$^\circ$C rise in temperature.
Step 2: Correct option
Since the question asks about the total stipulated destruction time, the correct answer is F-value.