Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Microwaves in the laboratory: effective decontamination.

B G Border1, L Rice-Spearman

  • 1Department of Diagnostic and Primary Care, TTUHSC, Lubbock 79430, USA. alhbb@ttuhsc.edu

Clinical Laboratory Science : Journal of the American Society for Medical Technology
|October 28, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Microwave irradiation offers a fast and effective sterilization method for common clinical and home healthcare materials. This study demonstrates its efficiency compared to standard autoclaving, making it a viable alternative for decontamination.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Clinical laboratory radioimmunoassay usage.

Clinical laboratory science : journal of the American Society for Medical Technology·1997
Same author

Alterations in actin-binding beta-thymosin expression accompany neuronal differentiation and migration in rat cerebellum.

Journal of neurochemistry·1993
Same author

The Gram stain: still a diagnostic tool?

Clinical laboratory science : journal of the American Society for Medical Technology·1992
Same author

Glutamate immunoreactivity in the rat basilar pons: light and electron microscopy reveals labeled boutons and cells of origin of afferent projections.

Neuroscience·1991
Same author

Evidence for the presence of presynaptic dendrites and GABA-immunogold labeled synaptic boutons in the monkey basilar pontine nuclei.

Brain research·1990
Same author

GABAergic neural elements in the rat basilar pons: electron microscopic immunochemistry.

The Journal of comparative neurology·1990

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Sterilization Techniques
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Standard sterilization methods like autoclaving are effective but can be time-consuming and require specialized equipment.
  • The need for rapid and accessible decontamination methods in clinical, laboratory, and home healthcare settings is crucial.
  • Exploring alternative sterilization technologies is essential for improving efficiency and accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of microwave irradiation as a sterilization method for materials used in clinical and home healthcare settings.
  • To compare the effectiveness of microwave sterilization against standard autoclave methods.
  • To determine the optimal microwave exposure times for effective decontamination.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Household microwave ovens were used to irradiate contaminated materials (bacteria, yeast) at specific time intervals.
  • Standard culture techniques and colony counting were employed to assess microbial decontamination.
  • Prepared powdered media was irradiated and tested for sterility and ability to support microbial growth.

    • Main Results:

    • Microwave irradiation effectively sterilized all tested materials, including swabs and gauze contaminated with bacteria or yeast within 30 seconds.
    • Yeast was eradicated within 15 seconds, while most bacteria, except E. coli, were eliminated within 30 seconds.
    • Irradiated powdered media remained uncontaminated and supported bacterial growth after inoculation, indicating successful sterilization without compromising nutritional value.

    Conclusions:

    • Household microwave ovens provide a fast, efficient, and effective sterilization solution for various materials.
    • Microwave irradiation is a practical alternative to autoclaving for decontamination in clinical, student laboratory, and home healthcare environments.
    • This method offers a accessible and rapid approach to ensuring material sterility.