Test to Detect Inadequacy of Pasteurization

The test used to detect inadequacy of pasteurization is:

Correct Answer: Phosphatase test

The Phosphatase test is used to detect inadequacy of pasteurization. Phosphatase enzyme is naturally present in raw milk and is completely destroyed during pasteurization. If phosphatase activity is detected in supposedly pasteurized milk, it indicates that pasteurization was incomplete or inadequate.

Key Distinction

• Phosphatase test → Inadequacy of pasteurization ✔
• Turbidity test → Official test for judging efficiency of sterilization (not applicable to pasteurization)
• Catalase test → Detection of mastitis or abnormal milk
• Resazurin test → Dye reduction test to assess bacterial contamination

Why Phosphatase?

Phosphatase has almost the same heat resistance as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, making it a reliable indicator — if phosphatase is destroyed, dangerous pathogens are also destroyed.