METHOD FOR STERILIZING MICROORGANISMS USING SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE

摘要

A method for sterilizing microorganisms with super-critical carbon dioxide is provided to obtain satisfactory result of efficient extinction for microorganisms even when pressure and temperature as processing factors are relatively low in level by employing supercritical carbon dioxide with principle of extracting constitutional elements at low temperature without alteration of pH effect and shape of cells. The method comprises the steps of: entering a sample reactor at a setup temperature above supercritical temperature of 31.1deg.C; introducing liquid carbon dioxide into the reactor through a duct and pressurizing the reactor above supercritical pressure of 73.8 bar through a pump; closing a valve to maintain the desired temperature and pressure for a constant time in order to extinct microorganisms; opening the valve after the constant time, to remove supercritical carbon dioxide and to keep internal condition of the reactor under ordinary pressure; and opening the reactor and give the sample without the microorganisms.