Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Microbial Control and Monitoring Strategies for Cleanroom Environments and Cellular Therapies
09:30

Microbial Control and Monitoring Strategies for Cleanroom Environments and Cellular Therapies

Published on: March 17, 2023

Sterility maintenance assessment of moist/wet material after steam sterilization and 30-day storage

Giovana Abrahão de Araújo Moriya1, Kazuko Uchikawa Graziano

  • 1Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brasil. gaamoriya@gmail.com

Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem
|October 6, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Sterile processing of medical supplies can be challenging. This study found that moist materials, even when contaminated externally, remained sterile for 30 days after autoclaving, supporting their use in emergencies.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Sterilization Science
  • Healthcare Management

Background:

  • Moist materials after autoclaving are typically deemed contaminated.
  • This poses challenges for sterile supply management, especially in emergencies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the sterility of moist/wet materials after steam sterilization and 30-day storage.
  • To inform decision-making regarding the use of such materials in critical situations.

Main Methods:

  • 40 surgical boxes in Spunbound, Metblouwn, Spunbound (SMS) nonwoven cloth were used.
  • Experimental group: autoclave cycle interrupted before drying (moist).
  • Control group: complete autoclave cycle (dry).
  • External contamination with Serratia marcescens.
  • 30-day storage followed by sterility testing.

Main Results:

  • No microbial growth was observed in the contents of any surgical box.
  • External contamination did not compromise internal sterility.
  • Moisture presence did not affect the maintenance of sterility.

Conclusions:

  • Moist/wet materials stored after autoclaving maintained sterility for 30 days.
  • This finding challenges the conventional view of moist materials as contaminated.
  • Supports the potential use of moist sterile packs in emergency scenarios.

More Related Videos

Visual and Microscopic Evaluation of Streptomyces Developmental Mutants08:42

Visual and Microscopic Evaluation of Streptomyces Developmental Mutants

Published on: September 12, 2018

Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Key Techniques in Microbiology01:19

Key Techniques in Microbiology

Aseptic techniques prevent contamination, ensure experimental accuracy, and protect researchers and microbial cultures. These techniques are essential in clinical, industrial, and research settings where sterility is required.Maintaining Sterility in Laboratory PracticesScientists maintain sterility by sterilizing tools with heat or chemicals, disinfecting work surfaces, and handling cultures in controlled environments. Working near an open flame or within a laminar flow hood reduces the risk...
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,...
Ostomy Care01:24

Ostomy Care

Introduction
An ostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an artificial opening from the intestines to the outside of the body, allowing for the rerouting of effluent. This opening is known as a stoma. A stoma usually protrudes above the skin surface, appearing pink or red, moist, and round, and it lacks nerve sensations.
There are different types of ostomies, including colostomies, ileostomies, and urostomies:
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...