What is the most significant key to successful thermal disinfection?

The most significant key to successful thermal disinfection is water temperature. Thermal disinfection relies on achieving a specific temperature to effectively kill microorganisms. When water is heated to the appropriate temperature, it plays a crucial role in denaturing proteins and disrupting the cellular structures of pathogens, leading to their inactivation.

While time of exposure is also important, it is the temperature that ensures the effective killing of most pathogens, especially when dealing with resistant organisms. If the temperature is not sufficiently high, even prolonged exposure will not result in effective disinfection. Therefore, maintaining an optimal water temperature is essential for ensuring that thermal disinfection is both effective and efficient.

Other factors like chemical concentration or heat source are less relevant in the context of thermal disinfection, focusing primarily on the elevation of temperature to achieve the desired disinfection outcomes.