SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Evaluate the activity of a starter culture in terms of its pH or % titratable acidity 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
123274  Evaluate the activity of a starter culture in terms of its pH or % titratable acidity 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Food Manufacturing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
9165  Evaluate the activity of a starter culture in terms of its pH or % titratable acidity  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for anyone who has to determine the activity of a starter culture.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of determining starter culture activity.
  • Prepare for determining the activity of a starter culture.
  • Determine the activity of a starter culture.
  • Report on the activity of a starter culture in terms its pH or % titratable acidity.

    This unit standard will contribute to the full development of the learner within the dairy manufacturing environment by providing recognition, further mobility and transportability within the field of manufacturing and assembly. The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard are essential for social and economic transformation and upliftment within the dairy manufacturing and processing environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Description of required skills:
  • Communication and mathematical literacy at NQF Level 2.
  • pH determination OR titratable acidity determination.
  • Knowledge of introductory dairy microbiology. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    In the context of this unit standard, a starter culture refers to a culture intended for the production of fermented dairy products. It includes all wet cultures and excludes direct vat inoculation (DVI) cultures. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of determining starter culture activity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Starter culture activity is described according to standard dairy principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The description includes:
  • A definition of starter culture activity.
  • Factors that influence starter activity.
  • Ways in which acid formation in starter cultures is determined.
  • Effect of the incubation time and temperature on starter activity.
  • Effect of the growth medium and inoculum size on starter activity.
  • Importance of working aseptically.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of determining the activity of a starter culture is explained according to standard dairy principles and with specific reference to the effect of using a starter culture with an unacceptable activity on the process and the final product. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare for determining the activity of a starter culture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Personal preparation is done according to standard operating procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Preparations include:
  • Hygiene practices.
  • Wearing of protective clothing and safety gear.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Reagents for the titratable acidity test are obtained and checked according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Equipment is prepared according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The sample for the titratable acidity test is prepared according to standard operating procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Determine the activity of a starter culture. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Two samples must be analysed in duplicate. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The activity of each sample is determined according to standard operating procedures and safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Equipment and reagents are handled according to standard operating procedures, laboratory techniques and safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The activity of each sample is established without error. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The work area is left in a safe and clean condition. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Problems are solved within scope of work. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Report on the activity of a starter culture in terms of its pH or % titratable acidity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Results are recorded according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The specifications for the activity of the starter culture under investigation are identified according to site-specific standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The results of the activity test are interpreted and a conclusion is drawn on the suitability of the starter culture for the production of fermented dairy products. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Deviations from the specifications for the activity of the starter culture are explained according to standard dairy principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The importance of accurate documentation is explained according to quality assurance principles. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor or moderator respectively with the relevant Education and Training Quality Assurance Body (ETQA), or with another ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA, or with another ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA, or by another ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal (provider-based) and external (ETQA-based) moderation of assessment, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment against this unit standard should encompass achievement of competencies described in the individual unit standard and may encompass achievement of integrated competencies with other unit standard(s).
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Embedded knowledge is reflected within the assessment criteria of each specific outcome. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community by:
  • Performing analysis in line with site schedules and instructions.

    Evident in Specific Outcome
  • Determine the activity of a starter culture. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively by:
  • Preparing equipment, reagents, samples and oneself for determination of the starter activity.

    Evident in Specific Outcome
  • Prepare for determining the activity of a starter culture. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information by:
  • Interpreting results of analysis and making a conclusion on the conformance of starter activity to specifications.

    Evident in Specific Outcome
  • Report on the activity of a starter culture in terms of its pH or % titratable acidity. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively by using mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations by:
  • Keeping records.

    Evident in Specific Outcome
  • Report on the activity of a starter culture in terms of its pH or % titratable acidity. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by:
  • Determining starter activity according to standard operating procedures and safety requirements.

    Evident in Specific Outcome
  • Determine the activity of a starter culture. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large.

    Evident in Specific Outcome
  • Demonstrate an understanding of determining starter culture activity.
  • Prepare for determining the activity of a starter culture.
  • Determine the activity of a starter culture.
  • Report on the activity of a starter culture in terms of its pH or % titratable acidity. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 9165, "Evaluate the activity of a starter culture in terms of its pH or % titratable acidity", Level 3, 2 credits.

    Supplementary Information:

    Legal requirements:

    Where applicable, the following acts, current and future regulations and amendments should be considered:
  • Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, No. 54 of 1972.
  • Health Act, No 63 of 1977.
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act, No. 85 of 1993.
  • Other industry specific Acts.

    Where applicable, the following International and National Standards should be considered:
  • SANS 1049 - Food Hygiene Management.
  • SANS 10330 - Requirements for a HACCP system.
  • ISO 22000 - Food safety management systems - Requirements for organisations throughout the food chain.
  • ISO 9001 - Quality Management System - Requirements.

    Definition of terms within this unit standard:

    Terminology: Standard operating procedures.
    Clarification/Explanation/Definition: Refer to company procedures, prescribed procedures from the manufacturer, personal safety and food safety practices and procedures, good manufacturing practices, best practices, applicable legislation, time frames, recipes and specifications. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  50305   National Certificate: Food Laboratory Analysis  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  FOODBEV 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.