HIGH-PRESSURE TREATMENT OF ORGANIC WASTES

High pressure treatment of organic materials was introduced several ye ars ago by Japanese researchers as a means to preserve food. Applicati on potentials are also envisaged in the field of waste treatment. Hygi enization effects, for instance, are achieved, when microbially contam inated samples are placed into an isostatic press and exposed, at room temperature, to a pressure of 4,000 bars and above. Deformation of th e biopolymers under those extreme pressure conditions leads to effects such as coagulation, denaturation of proteins, crystallisation and/or gelatinization (Heremans 1992). As a result the microorganisms lose v iability within a few minutes.