Abstract
This paper presents the analysis of a combined environment of dry heat and gamma radiation when applied for the purpose of spacecraft sterilization. The nature of the synergistic inactivation effect of dry heat and radiation on bacterial spores is explained using a semiempirical mathematical model, and the dependence of the inactivation rate upon a temperature dependent, nonlinear function of radiation dose rate is presented. An analysis of the temperature required for a defined population reduction with a defined upper limit on radiation dose and time is described. Also discussed is the dependency of the dose required for a defined population reduction on the radiation dose rate at any selected temperature.
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References
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Dugan, V.L. A kinetic analysis of spore inactivation in a composite heat and gamma radiation environment. Space Life Sciences 2, 498–505 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00941364
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00941364