498. Industrial Pharmacy: A Comprehensive Approach Other Sterilizing Agents Peracetic acid (0.2%), Silver, Gluteraldehyde, Ortho-phthalaldehyde, etc. are used as sterilizing agents. Radiation Sterilization Sterilization and preservation by radiations have been investigated since early 1940s. Since then a number of radiation sources have been developed for various applications. Primarily there are two types of radiation — electromagnetic and particulate or corpuscular. Electromagnetic radiation is of two types — ionizing and nonionizing, Gamma radiation is ionizing while ultra violet radiation is nonionizing. Presently a high intensity visible light has been developed which is capable of sterilizing surfaces within short period. Beam of electrons, called as particulate or corpuscular radiation, is also used for sterilization. lonizing radiation can penetrate the cells of microorganisms and change the molecular structure or spatial configuration of DNA. Thus, the cells of microorganism cannot replicate. This is @ two-step process, First the energy is deposited directly in the bond of the macromolecule and rearranges its structure. As a result the normal function of cell is either altered or destroyed. Secondly, free radicals are generated, primarily from the water present in the cytoplasm of the microbial cell. These free radicals then react with the macromolecules and destroy their normal activities. In either case the ultimate result is that the microorganisms lose their reproductive ability How many microorganisms would be inactivated by a particular dose depend on: ‘+ The sensitivity of biologically active macromolecules to alteration(denaturation), The extent or number of molecules affected, The ability of the cell to repair the alteration. AAs the ability of the cell to resist and repair the alteration waries from organism to organism, this sensitivity is expressed in terms of Dio value. The effect of exposure to radiation again depends on: ‘© Size of the microorganism, ‘State of hydration of the microorganism, = Presence of free radical scavengers in the microorganism. Gamma Radiation (y-radiation) Gamma radiation is emitted from radioactive isotope Cobalt 60 or Cesium 137. Most commonly Cobalt 60 is used as source. The Canadian company MDS Nordion is the major manufacturer of facilities with “Co y-ré yn sources. as large industrial irradiator, while Cesium 137 is used as blood irradiator. Alliance multipurpose - Ul O <