High carbon dioxide pressure inactivation kinetics of Escherichia coli in broth

The inactivation kinetics of Escherichia coli by high pressure carbon dioxide was investigated. Inactivation rates increased with increasing pressure (25, 50, 75 and 100 atm) temperature, and exposure time. Microbial inactivation followed first order reaction kinetics, with inactivation rates (kj and decimal reduction times (D) that varied from 0.0848 to 0.4717 min(-1) and from 4.90 to 27.46 min, respectively at treatment temperatures (20, 30 and 40 degreesC) The inactivation rates of E. coli were described by the apparent activation volume (DeltaV*) and a 'pressure z value', and they were greatly dependent on both temperature and pressure. (C) 2001 Academic Press