Sterilization

Is the freeing of an article from all living

organisms including viruses, bacteria, and
fungi and their spores ,both pathogenic and
non pathogenic. absolute term
The four method of Sterilization:-
1-Heat
2-Irradiation
3- Filtration
4- Disinfection
 Disinfection
• Has the same definition as sterilization
,but it may not ensure the complete freeing
from organisms , but it may not ensure the
complete freeing from organisms therefore it
is a relative term.
 Methods of sterilization:-
Divided into:-
1-Physical methods.
a) Heat b) Irradiation c) Filtration
2- Chemical methods. (Disinfection)
1-Physical methods;-
a) Sterilization by heat:-
1- Dry Heat (Oxidation).
2- Moist Heat (Denaturing of protein.
1-) Sterilization by dry heat.
i)- Red heat:-
(wires, forceps, needles…etc. They holding
them over a Bunsen burner flame till they
become red hot
ii)- Flaming:-
(Mouth of culture tubes, slides,cover glasses..
They are sterilized by exposing them to the
Bunsen burner flame.
culture Bunsen burner flame
• iii)- Hot air oven:-
• Most accurate method in. which consists
of heater, fan, thermostat, perforated
shelves and thermometer. Sterilization occur
at 160°c/1 hour
which Including swabs, scissors, powders,
oil, all glassware.
Hot air oven
4- Incineration
Total destruction by burning in a furnace.
- dirty dressing,
- pathological specimens,
- laboratory cultures,
- bodies of small dead animals
• Sterilization by Moist heat
1- Temperature below 100°c
a) pasteurization of milk
i) flash method heated at 72°c/20 sec
ii) Holder method heated at 65°c/30 min.
b) Vaccine preparation: heated at 60°c /60 min .
2- Temperature at 100 °c
- Boiling:- used for glass syringes
- Koch steamer used to sterilize delicate media
e.g. sugar media
3- Temperature above 100°c
• Steamer
 Sterilization by Moist heat
Autoclave:-
• Moist heat under pressure ,if we increase
the pressure and water is boiled at increased
pressure (more than atmospheric pressure).
Hot saturated steam will penetrate the
substance.
• Sterilization by an autoclave is done for
culture media with the exception of delicate
media and sugar or serum containing media
• The autoclave is a cylinder made of
stainless steel, contains water up to certain
level. It consist of a perforated shelves tray,
heater, door with screw, and air discharge
valve, gauges to measure the pressure
inside
the autoclave chamber
There are two types:-
1)- Non jacketed
2)- Jacketed (Koch steamer).
• Safety valves:-
They are used for the adjustment of the required
pressure. If pressure is adjusted at 15pounds the
temperature is 121°c
P= 15 Temp=121c Time= 15 min
• Testing the efficiency of sterilization:-
1- Chemical methods:-
a) Browne’s tube
b) Adhesive tape
2- Biological method
use certain bacteria called Bacillus
sterothermophilius have spore which die at
121°c/15 mi
 Sterilization by Irradiation
• We use two method:-
1- Ultra violet radiation (U.V).
Use mercury vapour lamp in operation rooms.
2- Ionizing radiation
a) X-ray
b) Gamma-ray
Use radio active element in disposable plastic
articles
 Sterilization by filtration
Removing of bacteria using small pores. Used
for:-
- Fluid affected by heat e.g. serum, sugar.
- Air
- Solution been free (pyrogen free).
 Use filter, which is made of:-
1- asbestos 2-porcelain
3-Glass 4- membrane cellulose
5- HEPA (high effiency particle arrestors).
 Chemical methods
Disinfection:-
1- Strong disinfectant:- Toxic to human,
used on in animated substances (floors,
benches ..etc.) e.g.100%alcohol
2- Mild disinfectant:- Antiseptic, used to
disinfect living tissues e.g. 70% alcohol
• Factors affecting the action
disinfectants:-
1- Concentration
2- Time
3- Temperature
4- Number of organism

• Used for heat labile substances that are

destroyed