Final answer:
The thermal death point (TDP) is the lowest temperature at which all cells in a sample are killed within 10 minutes. It is an essential parameter for evaluating heat sterilization methods like autoclaving.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lowest temperature that kills all cells in the broth in 10 minutes is known as the thermal death point (TDP). This term describes a specific thermal parameter used to ascertain the efficacy of heat sterilization procedures. The thermal death time (TDT), on the other hand, is the time required to kill all microbes at a given temperature. A similar concept, the decimal reduction time (DRT) or D-value, represents the time it takes to reduce the microbial population by 90% under certain sterilization conditions.
These parameters are critical for ensuring that sterilization methods, such as autoclaving or pressure canning, are effective at eliminating potent microbial threats such as C. botulinum endospores.