초록 ▼

The invention is based on the discovery that biological and non-biological materials can be sterilized, decontaminated, or disinfected by repeatedly cycling between relatively high and low pressures. Pressure cycling can be carried out at low, ambient, or elevated temperatures (e.g., from about -20.

The invention is based on the discovery that biological and non-biological materials can be sterilized, decontaminated, or disinfected by repeatedly cycling between relatively high and low pressures. Pressure cycling can be carried out at low, ambient, or elevated temperatures (e.g., from about -20.degree. C. to about 95.degree. C.). New methods based on this discovery can have applications in, for example, the preparation of vaccines, the sterilization of blood plasma or serum, the decontamination of military devices, and the disinfection of medical equipment. The new methods can also be incorporated into production processes or research procedures.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for sterilizing a material comprising at least one desired protein, the method comprising:providing said material and, while maintaining the temperature of the material at 4.degree. C. or lower, increasing the pressure to an elevated pressure sufficient to ster

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for sterilizing a material comprising at least one desired protein, the method comprising:providing said material and, while maintaining the temperature of the material at 4.degree. C. or lower, increasing the pressure to an elevated pressure sufficient to sterilize the material but insufficient to irreversibly denatured the desired protein, thereby providing a sterilized material.