Steps of the Boil Test and Required Microbiological Responses
| Step | Incubation at 100°C | Culturing on growth medium and incubation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Inactivation of microorganisms with limited moist heat resistance | Recovery and isolation of surviving microorganisms | |
| Vegetative cell response | Loss of structural and functional integrity | No recovery expected | |
| Spore response | Moist heat-resistant spores retain structural and functional integrity | Surviving spores germinate | Outgrowth of germinated spores |