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Freeze-drying of biohazardous products

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Biosafety in Industrial Biotechnology

Abstract

Freeze-drying (lyophilisation) is a well-established technique used to dehydrate labile materials often, but not exclusively of biological origin. The process is economically expensive compared with other drying techniques but where the emphasis is on product stabilisation rather than dehydration, freeze-drying remains a preferred method for preserving heat-sensitive bioproducts.1. The technique was used as early as 1903 by Vansteenberge2. for dehydrating rabies virus and the potential hazards inherent in the process as well as the benefits of freeze-drying have been recognised since that time. Little has been published, however, that specifically addresses the problems associated with processing biohazardous materials.3.

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  1. Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Porton Down, Wiltshire, UK

    P. Hambleton  & J. Melling  & 

  2. Science and Technology Section, British Embassy, Japan

    T. T. Salusbury

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Adams, G.D.J. (1994). Freeze-drying of biohazardous products. In: Hambleton, P., Melling, J., Salusbury, T.T. (eds) Biosafety in Industrial Biotechnology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1352-6_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1352-6_10

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