Aseptics

Aseptics is a technique of exposing a product to a brief and intensive heating in order to destroy all micro-organisms.  The product will then be filled and hermetically sealed under aseptic conditions, without the possibility of re-infection of the product.

The temperature and holding-time of the processor depends on the pH of the product.

Aseptics ensures a shelf-stable product at room temperature.

The basics of aseptic processing

In the UHT processor the product undergoes a heat treatment which is high enough to destroy all micro- organisms.

After the UHT processor, the product can directly go to the filling equipment or to  intermediate storage. This must be done under aseptic conditions in order to avoid re-infection. All product piping after the UHT processor and storage tanks must be sterilized prior to production.

Hereafter the product will be transported to the filler. The filling machine needs to be fully sterilized prior to production. The container and lids need to be sterilized before they enter the filling and cap/sealing zone of the machine. After the container is hermetically sealed, the container can be taken out of the filling machine. Since the package is hermetically sealed, and no micro-organisms are present in the product (or they are not able to grow due to the pH of the product),  the container can be stored at room temperature without the risk of spoilage.

If the product is aseptically processed, special cultures can be added to produce specialized cultured products.

Last modified: Monday, January 17, 2005 14:51:40    1999-2005 Copy right © ASEP-TECH USA LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.