Question: Removal of Bacteria from Protein to achieve 100cfu/gm - (Oct/07/2014 )

I extract a protein and need to get the bacterial load to 100cfu/gm

The Protein is used as a ready to eat natural food color, we add a sugar and stabilizer to the product.

Current Situation.

1. We first extract the product using freeze thaw method. Then clarify the algae particles using a centrifuge at 8000rpm

2. Then we use 0.22 micron hollow fiber filter to remove the finer particals. and after that a 0.1 micron commercial hollow fiber filter. 

3. We concentrate the product using a 10kda membrane to remove the natural sugars from it and dia filter the product. During concentration we pass the protein through UV light.(The protein has Florescence Properties)

4. Then we filter a natural sugar concentrate with stabilizer through 0.22 micron and add this to the concentrated protein.

5. We spray dry the product in a commercial spray dryer. During Spray Drying we use an in-line UV Light @ 10ml/sec 

We need to get the product down to 100 cfu/gm

1. First test gave a result of 600,000 cfu/gm

2. Second Test gave a result of 70,000 Cfu/gm (UV Light Introduced)

What bacteria are you recovering and why do you identify 100 cfu/gram as the specification?  See: http://pharmacopeia.cn/v29240/usp29nf24s0_c2023.html

Suggest you monitor within this process to determine the origin/dynamic establishing microbial load.  

Thank u Veteran for the reply. 

I am not trying to recover the bacteria. I would like to sanitize my product and bring my products TPC to below 100cfu/gm. 

How do i get the product to below 100cfu/gm.

As this is a food - you should consider the requirements for GMP's and HACCP.  That said and to your request, suggest you look into gamma.

Please also be aware that, whatever the bioburden, you'll need to rule out objectionable microbes and potential presence of bacterial toxins even if the bacteria themselves were rendered nonviable (e.g. Staph aureus, Bacillus cereus).

Gamma irriadation and Eto is not allowed on the product. I have not used sterile grade filters before drying. I have only used commercial grade 0.22 micron and 0.1 micron.

Will using a sterile grade 0.1 micron membrane help.  

I understand.  Good luck.  Suggest you also build quality into product as much as trying to establish after the fact with filtration. You'll still need to address potential toxins and objectionables.