Question

Decimal reduction time of a bacterial strain is 20 min. Specific death rate constant in min\(^{-1}\) (rounded off to two decimal places) is \(\underline{\hspace{1cm}}\).

Hint:

Decimal reduction time represents the time to reduce microbial population by 90%.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 0.1

Decimal reduction time \( D \) and death constant \( k \) are related by:
\[ k = \frac{2.303}{D} \]
Given \( D = 20 \) min:
\[ k = \frac{2.303}{20} = 0.11515 \approx 0.12 \]