Lüofiliseerimist

Lüofiliseerimist, also known as freeze-drying, is a dehydration process used to preserve perishable materials or make them more convenient for transport. It involves freezing the material and then reducing the surrounding pressure to allow the frozen water in the material to sublimate directly from the solid phase to the gas phase. This process is beneficial because it minimizes damage to the material by avoiding liquid-phase dehydration.

The typical freeze-drying cycle involves three main steps: freezing, primary drying, and secondary drying. Freezing is crucial for obtaining the desired ice crystal structure, which influences the efficiency of sublimation. Primary drying removes the bulk of the water through sublimation under vacuum. Secondary drying then removes residual water molecules that are bound to the material.

Freeze-drying is widely used in various industries. In the food industry, it is employed to preserve fruits, vegetables, coffee, and ready-to-eat meals, maintaining their flavor, texture, and nutritional value. Pharmaceuticals utilize freeze-drying to stabilize sensitive biological products like vaccines, antibodies, and enzymes, extending their shelf life and simplifying storage and transportation. It is also used in the production of diagnostic reagents and for the preservation of microorganisms. The resulting product is typically lightweight, stable, and easily rehydratable.