Pasteurization

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Pasteurization \Pas*teur`i*za"tion\, n.
     A process devised by Pasteur for preventing or checking
     fermentation in fluids, such as wines, milk, etc., by
     exposure to a temperature of 140[deg] F., thus destroying the
     vitality of the contained microorganisms.
     [1913 Webster]



From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  pasteurization
       n : partial sterilization of foods at a temperature that
           destroys harmful microorganisms without major changes in
           the chemistry of the food [syn: {pasteurisation}]