Re: Botulism

[Peter Fear <fearp@mail.upstate.edu>]

http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/chap2.html says "The toxin is heat labile and

can be destroyed if heated at 80oC for 10 minutes or longer. "



Pete

Peter Fear

Radiation Safety Office

SUNY Upstate Medical University

750 E. Adams St.

Syracuse, NY 13210



Phone:   (315)464-6510

FAX:      (315)464-5095

E-mail:   fearp@mail.upstate.edu



----- Original Message -----

From: Neil, David M

To: 'Jon_W_Handy@RL.GOV' ; radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu

Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2002 10:02 AM

Subject: RE: Botulism





Any protein is heat labile - at a high enough temperature.  Few people do

more than warm (<150 F) canned food; rarely to the recommended temperature

(>190 F).  Fewer still bring it to a boil (200 -212 F depending on

altitude), much less using a pressure cooker (~225 - 230 F as I recall).

What is the denaturization temperature for (any of the) botulism toxins?



Dave Neil

-----Original Message-----

From: Jon_W_Handy@RL.GOV [mailto:Jon_W_Handy@RL.GOV]

Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2002 4:23 PM

To: radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu

Subject: Botulism





Contrary to what has been said by more than one person, Clostridium

botulinum (and perfringens) toxins are heat labile, i.e., denatured by

cooking.

Staphlococcus aureus toxin, however, is heat stable and will survive

cooking.  You won't die, just wish you could.



The point is, will toxins be denatured by radioactivity?  I doubt it.



J. Handy, HP and former Sanitarian



The usual disclaimers.



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