High-temperature short-time thermal pasteurization
(HTST) has been effectively used for decades as a method
to extend the shelf life of fluid milk and to eradicate
pathogenic bacteria from it (Steele, 2000). Under optimal
processing and storage conditions, HTST thermal
pasteurization is able to extend the shelf life of milk to
around three weeks, depending on the initial microbiological
quality of the raw milk. However, as conditions
depart from the ideal, high initial microbial concentration,
poor processing or storing conditions, and postpasteurization
contamination can substantially shorten
the shelf life of milk