Q21: The main purpose of thermization is to : - Microbiology of Processed Dairy Products, Starters, Probiotics & Standards - ICAR AIEEA PG Dairy Science 09 July 2023 (Shift 1) Paper | Agrigyan

Thermal objectives and definition of milk thermization:

• Thermization is a mild sub-pasteurization thermal treatment ($63\text{--}65^\circ\text{C}$ for 15 seconds) specifically applied to chilled raw milk upon arrival at large dairy processing plants. Its primary objective is to arrest the growth of cold-tolerant psychrotrophic bacteria (Pseudomonas spp.) and prevent them from synthesizing heat-resistant proteases and lipases, thereby extending raw milk storage life by several days prior to eventual standardized pasteurization or cheese making.
• Thermization is NOT a legal substitute for pasteurization, as it does not guarantee complete destruction of pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Coxiella burnetii.
• It is not a substitute for boiling.
• It does not destroy all pathogenic organisms.