EN
The influence of high impulse voltages on Gram negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes) bacteria was examined. The impulses were produced in a one-grade generator of high insult voltages. A complete reduction of E. coli was noted for U = 40 kV and n = 50. On the other hand, for S. aureus and L. monocytogenes the number of live bacterial cells in one cubic cm was reduced by four or three grades of value. The observed differences in the survival of the bacteria examined result from differences in bacterial wall structure, size and shape. On the basis of the research we may conclude that the impulsive electric field may destroy microbial cells. Therefore, high impulsive voltage methods may be used to sterilize consumptive liquids.