초록 ▼

Applying electrical energy to a microorganism through a liquid, gas or solid having electrical energy causes an increase in an electric charge in excess of the limit of intracellular and extracellular electrostatic capacity possessed by the microorganism, which results in an irreversible change in t

Applying electrical energy to a microorganism through a liquid, gas or solid having electrical energy causes an increase in an electric charge in excess of the limit of intracellular and extracellular electrostatic capacity possessed by the microorganism, which results in an irreversible change in the microorganism cells and/or explosively destroys the border membrane of the microorganism cells.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A process for deactivating or destroying microorganisms, comprising the steps of:suspending the microorganisms in a medium; andapplying electrical energy to the medium to subject the microorganisms to an electric charge, wherein said electrical energy is sufficient to deactivate or

[ We claim:] [1.] A process for deactivating or destroying microorganisms, comprising the steps of:suspending the microorganisms in a medium; andapplying electrical energy to the medium to subject the microorganisms to an electric charge, wherein said electrical energy is sufficient to deactivate or destroy the microorganisms and wherein said electrical energy is applied via means other than an electrode. [11.] A process for deactivating or destroying microorganisms, comprising the steps of:suspending the microorganisms in a liquid medium; andapplying electrical energy to the medium to subject the microorganisms to an electric charge via an electrode that contacts no microorganisms, wherein said electrical energy is sufficient to deactivate or destroy the microorganisms. The process of claim 11, wherein the electric charge is in excess of the limit of intracellular and extracellular electrostatic capacity possessed by the microorganisms. The process of claim 11, wherein the electric charge promotes intracellular and extracellular osmosis of the microorganisms. The process of claim 11, wherein said medium is conductive. The process of claim 11, wherein said medium is non-conductive. The process of claim 11, wherein said electrical energy is applied via a means selected from the group consisting of a charged water, a gas having an electrical charge, and a solid charge-accumulating substance.