Method of inactivating microorganisms by combining ultrasonic and supercritical fluids

Method of inactivating microorganisms by combining supercritical fluids and ultrasonic # The present invention relates to a method for inactivation of microorganisms of a liquid product by combining supercritical fluids and ultrasound, comprising:. (A) introducing the product to be treated in at least one treatment tank provided with a device to keep the temperature constant; (B) feeding CO {sub, 2} in the supercritical state to the treatment tank; (C) generating an acoustic frequency range between 20 and 100 kHz in the treatment tank; (D) maintaining the product under the conditions of pressure and temperature of CO {sub, 2} supercritical and a frequency of the sound field between 20 and 100 kHz during the treatment time; and (e) extracting the product from the treatment tank by depressurization. It is also an object of this invention a system for carrying out said method and the use of said system for inactivation of microorganisms in food products.