§ STERILE- free of life of every kind
§ STERILIZATION- the process of
§SEPTIC- characterized by the
presence of pathogenic microbes in
living tissue.
§ANTISEPTIC- a chemical substance
which opposes sepsis or putrefaction
either by killing microorganisms or by
preventing their growth; applied
topically to living tissues.
§Thermal DEATH POINT – the
temperature which in a given time
destroys all the bacteria present.
2. STEAM UNDER PRESSURE- This is the
most rapid and efficient means of
destroying bacteria since heat resistant spores
are killed within 15 minutes,under a
pressure of 15lbs/square inch to attain a
temperature of 121 degrees C.
3. FLOWING
STEAM(TYNDALLIZATION)(FRACTIONAL)
- used for sterilizing heat sensitive culture media
containing carbohydrates which involves the
use of Arnold Sterilizer 30 mins for 3
successive days at 100 degrees C.
complete removal or destruction of all
forms of microbial life which may be
affected by physical or chemical means.
§ DISINFECTION-the process of killing or
removing microorganisms or inanimate
surfaces thru the use of chemical agents.
§ GERMICIDE OR DISINFECTANT- A
chemical substance used to kill infection
producing microorganisms on surfaces but
too toxic to be applied directly to tissues.
ANTIMICROBIAL
PHYSICAL AGENTS
APPLICATION OF HEAT- the most reliable and
universally applicable method of sterilization.
A. MOIST HEAT- Moist heat kills
microorganisms more rapidly than dry heat.
Its lethal effect is usually attributed to the
denaturation and coagulation of proteins.
1. BOILING-This is employed for a minimum of
10-15 minutes.(100 degrees C.).Used in the
sterilization of surgical equipments, needles,
hypodermic syringes.
§4. INSPISSATION-
(THICKENING)
-Through evaporation is used to
sterilize high-protein- containing
media that cannot withstand the
high temperature of autoclave
§(Lowenstein-Jensen,Loeffler’s
and Dorset Egg medium)
§TEMPERATURE- 75-80 deg. C
for 2 hrs for 3 successive days.
§ 5. PASTEURIZATION- This is the
process of partially sterilizing organic
solutions by heat without altering their
chemical properties.
§ METHODS:
A. LTH-low temperature holding
62 deg.C for 30 mins.
B. HTST –High temperature short time
72deg. C foor 15 secs.
§FREEZING- Its primary use is in the
preservation of bacterial cultures
via freeze drying.
RADIATION-
§A. ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
It is primarily used in the control of
airborne infection in enclosed areas,
such as hospital wards and operating
rooms.
B. DRY HEAT
§ The lethal effects of dry heat or
dessication are attributed to
protein denaturation,
oxidative damage and
toxic effects of elevated
levels of electrolytes.
1. Flaming with bunsen burner-
for flaming mouth of culture tubes
and slides.
2. Burning with a bunsen burner
–for wireloops, forceps, and
straight wire.
3. HOT AIR OVEN- The most
widely used type of dry heat,
employed for 2 hours at 180 deg.
C. Killing all organisms including
spore former.
§B. IONIZING RADIATION
§- These are especially utilized in the
sterilization and disinfection of catgut
and nylon sutures and disposable
surgical and medical supplies.

§FILTRATION- This is used to sterilize

heat-labile substances such as serum,
plasma ,ascitic fluid and certain
carbohydrate solutions.

ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMICAL
AGENTS- AGENTS DAMAGING 2. CRESOLS- The destructive distillation of
THE CELL MEMBRANE coal results not only phenol but also cresols.
§ LYSOL and CREOLIN
§ A. Surface –Active disinfectant
Good degerming agents
3. DIPHENYL COMPOUNDS-
HEXYLRESORCINOL and –
HEXACHLOROPHENE
§ B. PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS- STANDARD
DISINFECTANT § These substituted phenol compounds have
been incorporated into soaps and
1. Phenol – Joseph Lister used carbolic acid in detergents to enhance the germicidal
his first attempts to antiseptic surgery activity of the surface-active agents.
- effective against vegetative forms of bacteria
and most fungi.

AGENTS THAT MODIFY

§ 4. ALCOHOLS – A 70% ethyl alcohol FUNCTIONAL GROUPS OF
seems to be the most effective PROTEINS AND NUCLEIC ACIDS.
concentration for most purposes.
A. HEAVY METALS-
mercury,silver,arsenic
§ They react with and inactivate many
enzymes.

§ B. OXIDIZING AGENTS-
1. HALOGENS- iodine, chlorine
§ CHLORINE- NaOCl (Sodium hypochlorite, § 2. HYDROGEN PEROXIDE- It is used in the
cleaning of wounds.
Bleach) sanitize drinking water, swimming
pools, food handling and processing
equipment. C. DYES
§ * Gentian violet –inhibits gram positive bacteria
- 0.5%------- 1 :10 dilution
1 part NaOCl, 9 part H2O
D. ALKYLATING AGENTS
1. ALDEHYDE
§ IODINE- used for skin antisepsis and its § Formaldehyde- an excellent disinfectant when
germicidal action to bacteria; used as a gas
* Iodophors-BETADINE,Isodine for - destroys spores of both bacteria and fungi.
preparation for surgery.(Iodine with -used in the preservation of laboratory
specimens.
olyvinylpyrolidine)

2. ETHYLENE OXIDE-it boils at 10.8

deg. C.,it exist as a gas unless it is
kept cold or tightly sealed. It can be
used as an insecticide or germicide.

3. Glutaraldehyde- used to sterile

Medical instruments because is
does not corrode lenses, rubbers
and metals.