Vegetative forms of Clostridium botulinum spores are killed in how many minutes at what temperature?

The correct answer is the time and temperature at which vegetative forms of Clostridium botulinum spores are effectively killed is 10 to 15 minutes at 176 °F.

Clostridium botulinum is a pathogenic bacterium known for producing toxins that can lead to severe foodborne illness. The vegetative forms of this bacterium are sensitive to heat, and it is critical to apply sufficient time and temperature during cooking or pasteurization processes to ensure food safety.

At 176 °F, the conditions are optimized to effectively destroy the vegetative cells, which are more susceptible to heat compared to the spores that may survive at lower temperatures or shorter durations. The recommended time of 10 to 15 minutes at this temperature is based on research that indicates this is a sufficient combination to ensure that the harmful organisms are rendered inactive.

Other temperature and time combinations provided in other options may not achieve a similar level of effectiveness within the same timeframe or may exceed the requirements for killing vegetative forms, making them less relevant in this specific context of food safety practices.