Key words: supercritical CO2, inactivation, sterilization, microorganisms
The studies, in which the possibility of utilization of compressed CO2 as an environmentfriendly
(«green») alternative sterilizing agent is demonstrated, are reviewed. Also,
suggested in literature mechanisms of inactivating action of CO2 onto various
microorganisms are analyzed as influenced by various operation factors such as pressure,
temperature, duration, type of microbes, and treated material.