Dermination of the Heat Resistance of Mycobacterium Avium subsp. Paratuberculosis to Milk Spray Drying Processes

<OL> <LI> To determine the heat resistance of Mycobacterium smegmatis to milk evapouration processes using a pilot plant evaporator. This organism is used as a surrogate for Map.
<LI>To survey one years powder production from three Northern Ireland spray drying plants for Map using both molecular and culture techniques.
<LI> To mimic the evaporation process with Map in the laboratory and determine its heat resistance under reduced water activity conditions