John & Christy Horton wrote:
>
> Specifically :
> How much microwaving is necessary to kill AFB + spores?
>

I deal with bacteria at work from time to time, and unfortunately, 
microwaves are not really useful as a sterilizing agent.  They only kill 
microorganisms by heating, not by causing direct damage to the bacterial 
cells the way that, say, gamma rays would.  So, microwaving is no more 
effective for killing bacterial spores than direct heating would be.  In 
fact, it is likely to be less effective, because microwave ovens usually 
leave cold spots.

> Would this harm the  honey  to do this?

Almost certainly.  If you get hot enough to kill AFB spores, you are 
well up into carmelization temperatures.  Reliably killing bacterial 
spores with heat requires an autoclave (about 125 deg. C, or about 260 
deg. F) for at least 10 minutes.

-- 
Tim Eisele
[log in to unmask]

-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and  other info ---