Koelkastmethode

Koelkastmethode is a Dutch term that translates to “refrigeration method.” In practice, it refers to approaches that preserve perishable materials by controlled cooling. The term is used across fields such as food technology, biology, medicine, and chemistry and may denote a family of practices rather than a single standardized protocol.

The fundamental principle is to lower temperature to slow biochemical reactions and inhibit microbial growth, thereby maintaining quality, viability, and safety of the stored material. Temperature choices depend on the material and the desired balance between preservation time and integrity.

Common temperature ranges and modes include refrigeration at approximately 2–8°C for short-term storage, freezing at around -20°C for months, and deep freezing at -80°C or cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen (about -196°C) for long-term storage. The selection depends on the material type, required viability, and acceptable degradation.

Practices associated with the koelkastmethode include using appropriate, properly sealed containers; aliquoting samples to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles; employing stabilizers or cryoprotectants when necessary; labeling clearly and tracking storage locations; maintaining a validated cold chain with calibrated equipment and continuous temperature monitoring.

Applications span food preservation, clinical samples and vaccines, enzymes, DNA and RNA, microbial cultures and cell lines, and various tissues in laboratory and industrial settings. The method emphasizes careful handling to minimize damage from temperature fluctuations and to comply with applicable safety and regulatory requirements.