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Related Concept Videos

Methods of Sterilization II: Chemical Methods01:30

Methods of Sterilization II: Chemical Methods

In healthcare, the chemical method of sterilization uses chemical sterilants to treat surgical instruments and medical supplies to help prevent the transmission of infectious pathogens to patients. Due to heat sensitivity, most medical supplies and equipment should not be exposed to high temperatures. These parts include rubber, plastic, glass, and other similar elements.
Using chemical sterilization rather than heat to clean out equipment is recommended. It eradicates and removes all bacteria,...
Methods of Sterilization I: Physical Methods01:29

Methods of Sterilization I: Physical Methods

As used in a healthcare facility, sterilization destroys all microorganisms through physical or chemical methods. The physical method includes steam, dry heat, boiling water, and radiation.
Steam sterilization uses non-toxic, low-cost moist heat in the form of saturated steam under pressure, which is fast, microbicidal, and sporicidal, and quickly warms and penetrates fabrics. Autoclaves, or steam sterilizers, expose each item to direct steam contact for a predetermined time at the necessary...
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Temperature01:23

Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Temperature

Heat is a widely used method to control microbial growth by targeting and denaturing cellular proteins, thereby killing or inactivating microbes. This method's effectiveness is quantified using parameters such as the thermal death point (TDP), thermal death time (TDT), and decimal reduction time (D value). TDP represents the lowest temperature at which all microorganisms in a liquid suspension are eliminated within 10 minutes, whereas TDT is the time necessary to achieve sterilization at a...
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration01:26

Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration

Radiation and filtration are essential tools for microbial control, targeting microorganisms through distinct mechanisms. Radiation eliminates microbes by damaging their DNA, either killing them or inhibiting their growth. Based on wavelength, radiation is classified into two types: nonionizing and ionizing radiation.Non-ionizing radiation, such as UV radiation (200–400 nm), is absorbed by DNA, causing defects that effectively disinfect surfaces, air, and water, including safety cabinets.
Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection01:30

Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection

Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization are the methods that help to break the infection chain and prevent disease.
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...
Gas Chromatography: Introduction01:13

Gas Chromatography: Introduction

Gas chromatography (GC) is a technique for separating and analyzing volatile compounds in a sample. Its primary purpose is to identify and quantify components in complex mixtures, making it essential in fields such as environmental analysis, pharmaceuticals, and petrochemicals. GC is also called vapor-phase chromatography (VPC) or gas-liquid partition chromatography (GLPC).
In GC,  a sample is vaporized and mixed with an inert carrier gas (the mobile phase), which transports it through a column.

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Standardized Method for High-throughput Sterilization of Arabidopsis Seeds
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Standardized Method for High-throughput Sterilization of Arabidopsis Seeds

Published on: October 17, 2017

Using high-temperature formaldehyde sterilization as a model for studying gaseous sterilization.

Gregg A Mosley1

  • 1Biotest Laboratories, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology
|May 31, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Formaldehyde sterilization effectiveness varies with time and load placement, not just cycle duration. Accurate sterilization assessment requires understanding these critical variables for reliable microbial inactivation.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Sterilization Science
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Gaseous chemical sterilization systems, like formaldehyde, are crucial for medical instrument disinfection.
  • Understanding sterilization efficacy requires detailed analysis of microbial inactivation dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate phenomena in high-temperature formaldehyde sterilization using the Harvey Chemiclave.
  • To assess the impact of cycle time and load configuration on microbial lethality.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Harvey Chemiclave Models 5500 and 6000 for formaldehyde sterilization.
  • Employed population recovery and fraction negative (FN) techniques with Geobacillus stearothermophilus biological indicators.
  • Tested reusable instruments under minimum and maximum load conditions.

Main Results:

  • Microbial lethality increases with sterilization time.
  • Significant variations in lethality were observed based on load location within the sterilizer.
  • Half the full-cycle time does not equate to half the lethality due to concave downward lethality curves.

Conclusions:

  • Sterilization efficacy is influenced by factors beyond cycle duration, including load position.
  • Results are applicable to other gaseous chemical sterilization methods like ethylene oxide.
  • Accurate assessment of sterilization requires considering all influencing variables to avoid erroneous conclusions.