NZ739389B2

NZ739389B2 - Terminal device, device provided with prose function, communication method for terminal device, and communication method for device provided with prose function

Info

Publication number: NZ739389B2
Application number: NZ739385A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Masafumi Aramoto; Yoko KUGE
Original assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2015-06-29
Filing date: 2016-06-29
Publication date: 2021-11-02

Abstract

communication control method performed by a UE is provided. The communication control method includes: in a service authorisation procedure, requesting, to a ProSe function in a PLMN, authorisation for direct discovery and/or direct communication; and receiving, from the ProSe function, an authorisation message including a first timer value indicating for how long the authorisation is valid, as a response to the request; starting a first timer based on the reception of the first timer value; in an announce request procedure, receiving a discovery response message including a ProSe Restricted Code and a second timer value corresponding to the ProSe Restricted Code from the ProSe function; starting a second timer based on the reception of the discovery response message; and transmitting an announcement message including the ProSe Restricted Code to a proximity UE, wherein the ProSe Restricted Code is used for direct discovery. isation message including a first timer value indicating for how long the authorisation is valid, as a response to the request; starting a first timer based on the reception of the first timer value; in an announce request procedure, receiving a discovery response message including a ProSe Restricted Code and a second timer value corresponding to the ProSe Restricted Code from the ProSe function; starting a second timer based on the reception of the discovery response message; and transmitting an announcement message including the ProSe Restricted Code to a proximity UE, wherein the ProSe Restricted Code is used for direct discovery.

Description

C:\Users\dvb\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\GOB1ECPP\Draft PCTl Patent Specification 35252521.DOC-8/03/2021 A PROCESS FORTREATING MILK TECHNICALFIELD The present ion generally relates to a process to treat milk and a milk product that has been treated by the process.

BACKGRO UND Raw milk typically contains microorganisms/pathogens which may be unsafe for human consumption. Processes are known to treat raw milk in order to produce milk with safe pathogenic levels for human consumption. These ses, termed pasteurization, e exposing milk to elevated temperatures.

The most common pasteurization s involves heating the milk to a temperature of about 72.5ºC for about 15 seconds, producing milk with safe pathogenic levels for human consumption with a shelf life of approximately 14 days. Milk produced by this process is often simply referred to as pasteurized milk, fresh milk or fresh pasteurized milk.

Ultra heat treatment (UHT) treatment of milk involves pasteurizing milk at a temperature in excess of 135ºC for a period of about 4 seconds to produce a milk referred to as UHT milk, which has a relatively stable shelf life. Pasteurizing milk at a temperature of about 121ºC to produce milk referred to as extended shelf life milk (ESL), which has a shelf life of about 21 to 31 days.

The temperatures ed to pasteurize milk results in significant denaturing of milk proteins and enzymes as well as alterations to some organoleptic teristics of the milk as the processing heat increases. As a result, the nutritional quality of milk is degraded by the pasteurization process, with the degree of degradation increasing as the temperature of processing is sed. ingly, a trade-off between nutritional value and shelf life occurs, with pasteurized milk having a higher nutritional quality and a shorter shelf life than ESL or UHT milk. The s hort shelf life of pasteurized milk makes if difficult to transport and sell in certain markets, and in particularly s where the consumers of C:\Users\dvb\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\GOB1ECPP\Draft PCTl Patent Specification 35252521.DOC-8/03/2021 the milk are located in an area t a significant dairy industry. These types of markets are often only provided with the nutritionally inferior but longer lasting ESL or UHT milk.

Accordingly, there is a need to produce a milk with a high nutritional value through retention of key proteins and enzymes and with an extended shelf life.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an ledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that prior publication (or information d from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this ication relates.

BRIEFSUMMARY The present invention seeks to e a process and t with improved features and properties. ing to a first aspect the present invention provides process for ng milk including the steps of: a homogenization step wherein the milk is maintained at a temperature of below about 60ºC; and, a high pressure processing step, wherein the milk is subjected to an elevated pressure above about 350 MPa wherein the elevated pressure of the high pressure processing step does not induce an increase in the temperature of the milk in excess of a limiting temperature of about 60ºC during the high pressure processing step.

According to further aspect the present invention provides the process according to the first aspect wherein the elevated pressure of the high pressure processing step induces a temperature increase in the milk such that the temperature of the milk is increased to at least about 45ºC during the high pressure sing step.

According to further aspect the present invention provides the process according to the first aspect wherein the ed pressure of the high pressure process step induces a temperature se in the milk such that the temperature of the milk is increased to between about 50ºC to about 55ºC during the high pressure processing step.

C:\Users\dvb\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\GOB1ECPP\Draft PCTl Patent Specification 35252521.DOC-8/03/2021 According to further aspect the present invention es the process according to the first aspect wherein the milk is subjected to an elevated pressure of between about 500MPa to about 750MPa during the high pressure processing step.

According to further aspect the present ion provides the process ing to the first aspect wherein the milk is subjected to an elevated pressure of about According to further aspect the present invention provides the process according to the first aspect wherein the milk is subjected to the elevated pressure in the high pressure processing step for a period of time such that pathogen levels in the milk are d to substantially safe levels for human consumption.

According to further aspect the present invention provides the process according to the first aspect wherein the milk is subjected to the elevated pressure in the high pressure processing step for about 3 minutes or less or about 4 minutes or less.

According to further aspect the present ion provides the process according to the first aspect further including the step of chilling the milk to an initial ature prior to the high pressure processing step, wherein the initial temperature is selected such that the temperature of the milk does not exceed 60ºC during the high pressure processing step.

According to further aspect the present invention provides the s according to the preceding aspect wherein the initial temperature is selected such that the temperature of the milk is increased to between the range of about 50ºC to about 55ºC during the high pressure processing step.

According to further aspect the present ion provides the process ing to the preceding aspect wherein the initial temperature is between about 33ºC to about 37ºC.

According to r aspect the present ion provides the process according to the first aspect wherein the high pressure processing step is performed by C:\Users\dvb\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\GOB1ECPP\Draft PCTl Patent Specification 35252521.DOC-8/03/2021 packaging milk into sealed containers and immersing the sealed containers in a fluid, wherein the fluid is uently pressurized thereby subjecting the milk to the elevated According to further aspect the present ion provides the s according to the first aspect wherein the temperature of the fluid before pressurization is about the same temperature as the initial temperature.

According to further aspect the present invention provides the s according to the first aspect further including the step of subjecting the milk to UV treatment and/or ozone treatment and/or bactofugation.

According to further aspect the present invention provides the s according to the first aspect wherein the process is used to treat milk obtained from bovine animals, ovine animals, caprine animals, bubaline animals or camelus animals.

According to further aspect the present invention provides the process according to the first aspect n the process further includes the step of cooling milk to a temperature of below about 4ºC after the high pressure sing step.

According to further aspect the present invention provides the process according to the first aspect wherein the process further includes the step of standardizing the milk to a certain fat content.

According to further aspect the present invention provides the process ing to the first aspect n the process is completed within about 72 hours from ing the milk from an animal or about 48 hours from obtaining the milk from an animal.

According to a second aspect the present invention provides process for treating milk including the steps of: (a) obtaining milk from an animal and storing the milk at a temperature of between about 0ºC and about 4ºC; and, (b) clarifying the milk; and, (c) homogenizing the milk at a temperature of between about 50ºC and about 55ºC; and, (d) packaging the milk into sealed containers; and, (e) cooling the milk to an initial C:\Users\dvb\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\GOB1ECPP\Draft PCTl Patent ication 35252521.DOC-8/03/2021 ature; and, (f) high pressure processing the homogenized milk wherein the packaged milk is immersed in a fluid subjected to elevated pressures of greater than about 500MPa; and, (g) cooling the packaged milk to a temperature of below about 4ºC after the high pressure processing step, wherein the l temperature is chosen such that the temperature of the milk is increased to between about 50ºC to about 55ºC during the high pressure processing step.

According to a third aspect the present invention provides milk produced by any one of the preceding aspects.

According to a further aspect the present invention es the milk according to the third aspect wherein the milk has a shelf life of about 60 days to about 90 days.

According to an , the present invention provides a s for treating milk, wherein the process includes the following steps: a homogenization step; and, a high pressure processing step, wherein the milk is t to an elevated pressure.

Advantageously, the process of the above aspects may produce milk with reduced levels of pathogens whilst providing milk with improved ional values, organoleptic properties and shelf life compared to milk produced by conventional processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONOF FIGURES Example embodiments should become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, of at least one red but nonlimiting embodiment, described in connection with the accompanying figures.

Figure 1 illustrates a flowchart of the process according to the t invention.

PREFERREDEMBODIMENTS In the figures, orated to illustrate features of an example embodiment, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout the figures.

C:\Users\dvb\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\GOB1ECPP\Draft PCTl Patent ication 35252521.DOC-8/03/2021 ing to Figure 1, depicted is a flowchart of a process to treat milk in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Instead of pasteurization, the s uses a high re to remove bacteria and other pathogens from milk. Using high pressures to treat milk allows the process to occur at lower temperatures than a typical pasteurization process, which may thereby avoid degradation of certain proteins and enzymes associated by high temperature processing of milk. The described process may also e milk with a longer stable shelf life than pasteurized milk. The bed process may also avoid certain organoleptic changes to milk which may otherwise occur due to pasteurization, particularly high temperature pasteurization used to produce UHT milk. The process of figu re 1 includes the steps of homogenizing the milk 1, cooling the milk to an initial loading temperature 2, transferring the milk to sealed containers 3, subjecting the milk in the sealed containers to a high pressure processing step 4 and cooling the milk 5. However, certain optional steps may also be used by the process for treating milk as herein described.

In the example embodiment, raw milk is typically obtained by milking animals on a farm and may be reduced in temperature to between about 0ºC and about 4ºC as soon as practicable after milking. The chilled milk may then be transported to a sing site where the milk may be stored in vats at a temperature of between about 0ºC and about 4ºC in anticipation of processing.

The stored milk may then be passed through a ier in order to remove certain foreign materials and to help minimize any sedimentation effects that may otherwise occur when the milk is subsequently homogenized.

Milk may then o a preheating step where the milk may be preheated to between about 45ºC and about 60ºC, and in a red range of between about 50ºC and 55ºC. Once milk has been preheated, the milk may then undergo a homogenization step 1 where the milk is homogenized whilst the temperature of the milk is maintained between about 45ºC and 60ºC, and in a preferred range of between about 50ºC and 55ºC.

Homogenizing the milk at temperatures below about 45ºC may induce deleterious effects in milk, such as premature rancidity and ntation of leucocytes and epithelial cells.

C:\Users\dvb\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Content.Outlook\GOB1ECPP\Draft PCTl Patent Specification 21.DOC-8/03/2021 If milk is heated to temperatures exceeding about 60ºC or about 58ºC, denaturing of phosphatase enzymes as well as casein and whey proteins may begin to occur, thereby reducing the nutritional qualities of milk. It was found that maintaining the temperature of milk within the range of about 50ºC to 55ºC during homogenization will allow for a buffer n the deleterious s experienced by the milk outside of the approximate 45ºC to 60ºC range.

Homogenization of the milk will reduce the size of the fat globules within the milk, and disperse the reduced globules uniformly through the milk. In this step the milk is forced under pressure h small holes to reduce the size of the fat globules, allowing them to disperse uniformly through the rest of the milk. The homogenization step 1 may be carried out when the milk is at a temperature above about 25°C (i.e. above ambient temperature) and below about 60°C. In certain preferred ments the homogenization step may be carried out with milk at a temperature of between about 45°C to about 55°C Following homogenization, milk may be delivered to a temperature controlled e tank 2. The balance tank is configured to reduce the temperature of milk below the 45ºC to 60ºC range or below the preferred range of about 50ºC to about 55ºC. The balance tank is also configured to maintain the temperature of the milk above the initial loading temperature of the downstream high pressure processing step. After the milk has been temperature controlled by the balance tank 2, the milk may then be transferred to a filling head. In certain embodiments, the balance tank may be located at a higher elevation than the filling head such that the milk may flow to the er head under the influence of gravity.

The filling head distributes the milk into individual packages 3 which may be subsequently sealed. The es may be PET bottles, glass bottles, s or any other suitable package.

The packaged milk may then undergo a high pressure processing step 4. In the high pressure sing step, the packaged milk is immersed in a fluid, such as for example water, within a high pressure processing chamber and exposed to elevated pressures. As the pressure inside the high pressure processing chamber is in creased, the rs\dvb\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\GOB1ECPP\Draft PCTl Patent Specification 35252521.DOC-8/03/2021 fluid evenly exerts a hydrostatic pressure to the packaged milk. It was found that subjecting the packaged milk to the elevated res for a defined period of time may vate certain pathogens in the milk, thereby producing milk with en levels substantially safe for human ption. High pressure processing of the milk was also found to lead to milk with a longer stable shelf life than pasteurized milk, allowing the milk to be transported to markets that are too distant for pasteurized milk to access before the shelf life expires.

The elevated pressured applied to milk in the high pressure processing step may be in the order of about 350MPa to about 1500MPa, though other pressures may also be used. Higher pressures may require that milk is d to elevated pressures for a shorter period of time than lower pressures, leading to a higher throughput of milk through the process step. However, higher pressures may require more expensive equipment and involve a higher associated operating cost than lower res. Similarly, lower pressures may require that the milk is exposed to elevated pressures for a longer amount of time which in some circumstances may effect the commercial viability of the process. In one e embodiment, the high pressure processing step exposed the packaged milk to an elevated pressure of about 600MPa for imately 3 s in order to cause the inactivation of certain pathogens within the milk. Performing the high pressure processing step may be beneficial in avoiding higher pressure that may complicate and add to the expense of the process. It was also found that this pressure produced a milk with en levels substantially safe for human consumption in a time frame of about 3 minutes. The time frame of about 3 minutes is beneficial as longer time frames may reduce the commercial feasibility of the batch operated high pressure processing step compared with other sterilization methods, although in some embodiments treatment times of 4 minutes or about 5 minutes may be acceptable. However, it is to be understood that the exact time required to reduce pathogen levels in the high pressure processing step may be a function of the properties of the milk oing treatment. For example, milk with a higher loading of pathogens may e a longer treatment time with high pressure processing to adequately reduce the en levels. Similarly, milk with a relatively lower loading to pathogens may require a shorter treatment time with high pressure processing to achieve adequate pathogen mortality, such that high pressure processing at a pressure of less than rs\dvb\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\GOB1ECPP\Draft PCTl Patent Specification 35252521.DOC-8/03/2021 600MPa may be used to achieve an adequate pathogen ity within about 3 s or less. In n non-limiting embodiments, it has been found that an elevated pressure of about 500MPa to about 750MPa in the high re processing step has been found to produce acceptable results in an acceptable time frame, although it is to be understood that n parameters such as the initial pathogen loading of the milk and the types of pathogens present in the milk may effect the parameters at which the high pressure processing step is operated. In some ments, the milk may be ted to elevated pressures for a short time frame of about 2 minutes or less or about 1 minute or less or less than about 45 seconds.

The initial loading temperature of the fluid in the high pressure processing step may be chosen to increase the mortality of certain pathogens in the milk to make the milk safer for human consumption. The loading temperature may also take into consideration the temperature rise in the high re processing chamber which may occur due to the elevated pressures. Without wishing to be bound by theory, a temperature rise of approximately 3ºC to 4ºC may be expected for about every 100MPa increase in the chamber. Therefore a loading temperature of about 33ºC to about 37ºC may be selected as the temperature within the chamber for high pressure processing at about 600MPa such that the temperature may rise from 33ºC to 37ºC to about 50ºC to 55ºC as the chamber is pressurized from atmospheric to 600MPa. Maintaining the temperature of the milk at about 50ºC to 55ºC will comfortably avoid the temperature of about 60ºC or about 58ºC at which certain nutritional components of the milk may begin to denature. It may be beneficial to perform high pressure processing at a relatively high temperature such as about 50ºC to about 55ºC to help facilitate the mortality of pathogens in the milk, ularly pathogens that may y some ance to high pressures, while keeping the temperature below about 58ºC or about 60ºC to avoid degradation of certain nutritional and/or organoleptic properties of the milk. However, it has been found that performing high pressure processing on milk at a temperature of about 45ºC or lower may provide for acceptable results, however, lower temperatures may require that the high pressure processing step is performed for a longer time period or at a higher pressure. The combination of elevated pressures and elevated temperatures below about 60ºC has been surprisingly found to produce milk with pathogen levels substantially safe for human rs\dvb\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\GOB1ECPP\Draft PCTl Patent Specification 35252521.DOC-8/03/2021 consumption in a process that may be commercially viable compared to pasteurization.

The milk produced by such a process may also have improved organoleptic and nutritional properties compared to pasteurized milk and may also have a longer shelf life.

Otherwise stated, it may be beneficial to perform the high pressure sing step on milk with a temperature raised above an approximate bottom limit of about 45ºC or about 50ºC to assist in the reduction of pathogen levels, but below an approximate upper limit of about 60ºC to avoid or minimize degradation of the milk in terms of nutritional value and/or organoleptic properties.

It has also been found that the temperature regime of the process to treat milk may assist in the germination of certain spore g pathogens such as bacillus , such that the germinated spores may be deactivated by the elevated pressures of the high pressure processing step. For example, the temperature regime of an initial loading temperature of about 33ºC to 37ºC leading to a milk temperature of about 50ºC to about 55ºC in the high re processing step operated at an ed pressure of about 600MPa has been found to assist in the germination of certain spore forming pathogens such that the germinated spores may be more easily deactivated by the elevated pressures of the high pressure processing step. rmore, during the initial stages of the high pressure processing step, pressures are ramped up to the designated ed pressure.

These lower pressures at the initial stages of the ramp-up in pressure may further assist the germination of spore forming pathogens in conjunction with the temperature regime of the process, g to easier pathogen kill at the elevated pressure. In this manner, the ature and pressure regime if the high pressure processing step may lead to increase mortality of certain spore forming pathogens such as bacillus cereus.

It has been found that homogenizing milk at a temperature between about 45ºC and 60ºC, preferably between about 50ºC and 55ºC, and subsequently subjecting the homogenized milk to the high pressure processing step, that the ant milk may display substantially reduced pathogen , as well as improved nutritional value, shelf life and organoleptic properties when compared to milk produced by a rization process.

C:\Users\dvb\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Content.Outlook\GOB1ECPP\Draft PCTl Patent Specification 35252521.DOC-8/03/2021 In certain preferred embodiment, the temperature of the fluid used to pressurize the chamber of the high pressure sing step may be pre-heated to the same or similar ature as the initial g temperature of the milk in the high pressure processing step. By preheating the fluid, the effect of the elevated re will increase the temperature of the fluid to about the same degree as the elevated pressure will increase the temperature of the packaged milk. In this manner, heat transfer between the fluid and the packed milk will be minimized, thereby simplifying the process in lling the temperature of the packed milk to n about 45ºC to about 60ºC, or between about 50ºC to about 55ºC for the reasons noted above.

Following high pressure processing of the milk, the packaged milk is at a relatively high temperature, for example about 50ºC to 55ºC, such that cooling 5 may be required for subsequent storage and shipping. Cooling may be achieved by any suitable cooling method step such as for example by spraying chilled water over and around the ed milk in order to reduce the temperature of the milk to below 4ºC. An alternative cooling method step may be a flash cooling step wherein the packaged milk is subjected to a d pressure environment which thereby reduces the temperature of the packaged milk. Cooling the milk by these methods may cause rapid temperature reduction, limiting the time that the milk is exposed to high temperatures, which may lead to an extension in the shelf life of the milk. Once the internal temperature of the milk has been brought below about 4ºC, the milk may be transferred to a cold room for storage at below 4ºC until the milk is subsequently distributed to the market.

Milk treated by the high pressure processing step for a ient amount of time may display substantially reduced en levels. The pathogen levels may be at levels safe for human consumption or at levels approaching safe for human consumption.

The pathogen levels may be the same or similar to the pathogen levels of milk treated by a pasteurization process.

In some cases, depending on the pathogen loading initially present in the milk, as well as the type of pathogens present in the milk, further treatment in addition to the high pressure processing step may be required to reduce the pathogen levels in the milk. In C:\Users\dvb\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\GOB1ECPP\Draft PCTl Patent Specification 35252521.DOC-8/03/2021 some embodiments, UV treatment or ozone treatment of the milk may be performed to further reduce the pathogen levels of the milk if required. In some embodiments, a bactofugation step may also be performed to reduce the pathogen loading of milk before the high pressure processing step in some embodiments. For example, when treating milk with a particularly high initial g of pathogens it may be advantageous to use one of these additional processing steps before the high pressure processing step.

The process as herein described may be used to treat milk that has been rdized to e a d milk with various fat and SNF levels, for e skim milk.

As used herein, milk refers to the liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. Milk is an emulsion or colloid of butterfat globules within a water-based fluid that contains dissolved carbohydrates and protein aggregates with minerals. The s as herein bed may be used to treat milk from any animal, including: bovine, ovine, caprine, bubaline and camelus animals. It is preferred that the milk treatment process herein described is completed within 72 hours or preferably 48 hours from the time of obtaining the milk from these animals. Milk treated in such a time frame may display improved organoleptic ties and may further display increased shelf life.

Milk produced by the process for treating milk as herein described may have certain advantages over milk d by other processes, such as pasteurized or ESL milk in terms of preserving nutritional components of the milk and producing milk with improved organoleptic properties. Furthermore, milk treated be the process for treating milk as herein bed may display a long shelf life of greater than about 45 days, or between about 60 to 90 days or more, thus surpassing the shelf life of pasteurized milk. Such an extended shelf life may allow the milk to be transported to distant markets by economical methods, such as ocean freight, such that milk with good nutritional and organoleptic properties may accessible to distant markets at an economical cost.

Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art t departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A process for treating milk ing the steps of: a homogenization step wherein the milk is maintained at a temperature of below 60ºC; and, a high pressure processing step, wherein the milk is subjected to an elevated pressure above 350 MPa wherein the elevated pressure of the high pressure processing step does not induce an increase in the temperature of the milk in excess of a limiting temperature of 60ºC during the high pressure processing step, wherein the elevated pressure of the high re processing step induces a temperature increase in the milk such that the temperature of the milk is increased to at least 45ºC during the high pressure processing step and wherein the milk includes an initial temperature prior to the high pressure processing step, wherein the initial ature is selected such that the ature of the milk does not exceed 60ºC during the high re processing step.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the ed pressure of the high pressure process step induces a temperature increase in the milk such that the temperature of the milk is increased to between 50ºC to 55ºC during the high pressure processing step.

3. The process according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the milk is ted to an elevated re of between 500MPa to 750MPa during the high pressure processing step.

4. The process according to any one of the proceeding , wherein the milk is subjected to an elevated pressure of 600MPa.

5. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the milk is subjected to the elevated pressure in the high pressure processing step for a period of time such that pathogen levels in the milk are reduced to substantially safe levels for human consumption.

6. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the milk is subjected to the elevated pressure in the high pressure processing step for 3 minutes or less or 4 minutes or less. - 14-

7. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, further including the step of chilling the milk to the initial temperature prior to the high re processing step.

8. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the initial temperature is selected such that the temperature of the milk is increased to n the range of 50ºC to 55ºC during the high re processing step.

9. The process ing to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the l temperature is between 33ºC to 37ºC.

10. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the high pressure processing step is med by packaging milk into sealed containers and immersing the sealed containers in a fluid, wherein the fluid is subsequently pressurized thereby subjecting the milk to the elevated pressure.

11. The process according to claim 10, wherein the temperature of the fluid before pressurization is the same temperature as the initial ature.

12. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, r including the step of subjecting the milk to UV treatment and/or ozone treatment and/or bactofugation.

13. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the process is used to treat milk obtained from bovine animals, ovine animals, caprine animals, bubaline s or camelus animals.

14. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the process further es the step of cooling milk to a temperature of below 4ºC after the high pressure processing step.

15. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the process further includes the step of standardizing the milk to a certain fat content. - 15-

16. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the s is completed within 72 hours from obtaining the milk from an animal.

17. The process ing to any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the process is completed within 48 hours from obtaining the milk from an animal.

18. A process for treating milk including the steps of: (a) obtaining milk from an animal and g the milk at a ature of between 0ºC and 4ºC; and, (b) clarifying the milk; and, (c) homogenizing the milk at a temperature of between 50ºC and 55ºC; and, (d) packaging the milk into sealed containers; and, (e) cooling the milk to an initial temperature; and, (f) high pressure processing the homogenized milk wherein the packaged milk is immersed in a fluid subjected to elevated pressures of greater than 500MPa; and, (g) g the packaged milk to a temperature of below 4ºC after the high pressure processing step, wherein the initial temperature is chosen such that the temperature of the milk is increased to between 50ºC to 55ºC during the high pressure processing step

19. A process according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the milk after the high pressure processing step has a shelf life of greater than 45 days.

20. A process according to claim 19, wherein the milk has a shelf life of 60 to 90 days. C:\Users\dvb\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\GOB1ECPP\Draft PCTl Patent Specification 352525

21.DOC-