sterilization

(noun)

Any process that eliminates or kills all forms of microbial life present on a surface, solution, or solid compound.

Related Terms

Examples of sterilization in the following topics:

  • Heat

    • To achieve sterilization, different techniques and tools are used.
    • Autoclaving (pressure cooking) is a very common method for moist sterilization.
    • When sterilizing in this way, samples are placed into a steam chamber.
    • Pressure sterilization is the prevailing method used for medical sterilization of heat-resistant tools.
    • Other heat sterilization methods include flaming and incineration.

  • Radiation

    • Sterilization by irradiation with gamma rays may, in some cases affect material properties.
    • Electron beam processing is also commonly used for sterilization.
    • Irradiation is used by the United States Postal Service to sterilize mail in the Washington, DC area.
    • Some foods (e.g. spices, ground meats) are irradiated for sterilization.
    • UV light is commonly used to irradiate and sterilize laminar flow cabinets between uses.

  • Filtration

    • Fluids that would be damaged by heat, irradiation, or chemical sterilization can be sterilized by microfiltration using membrane filters.
    • Fluids that would be damaged by heat (such as fluids containing proteins like large molecule drug products, but also wine and beer), irradiation, or chemical sterilization can only be sterilized by microfiltration using membrane filters.
    • The filtration equipment and the filters may be purchased as pre-sterilized disposable units in sealed packaging, or must be sterilized by the user, generally by autoclaving at a temperature that does not damage the fragile filter membranes.

  • Aseptic Technique, Dilution, Streaking, and Spread Plates

    • Aseptic technique or sterile technique is used to avoid contamination of sterile media and equipment during cell culture.
    • This requires that exposure of containers of sterilized culture media to outside air should be minimized, and that flame is used to "re-sterilize" container lids and rims.
    • Sterile technique, in general, is a learned state-of-being, or mantra, where every utilization of any sterile material comes with the caveat of taking every precaution to ensure it remains as free of contaminants as possible for as long as possible.
    • Heat is an excellent means of killing microorganisms, and the Bunsen burner is the sterile technician's best friend.
    • The glass rod is sterilized and used to spread the microbe-containing liquid uniformly on the plate.

  • Considerations in Microbial Control

    • Sterilization can be achieved by applying the proper combinations of heat, chemicals, irradiation, high pressure, and filtration.
    • Sterilization as a definition means that all life was terminated, whereas sanitization and disinfection terminates selectively and partially.
    • In general, surgical instruments and medications that enter an already aseptic part of the body (such as the bloodstream, or penetrate the skin) must be sterilized to a high sterility assurance level (SAL).
    • For example, medical device manufacturers design their sterilization processes for an extremely low SAL.
    • Preparation of injectable medications and intravenous solutions for fluid replacement therapy requires not only a high sterility assurance level, but also well-designed containers to prevent entry of adventitious agents after the initial product sterilization.

  • Rate of Microbial Death

    • The rate of microbial death is used to develop standard protocols for sterilization in many industries.
    • It is important in order to develop standard protocols for disinfection which will facilitate the sterilization routine in many industries.
    • The goal is to find out what is the minimum time needed to achieve acceptable level of sterilization for a specific purpose.

  • Control of Nosocomial Infections

    • Hospitals have sanitation protocols regarding uniforms, equipment sterilization, washing, and other preventive measures.
    • Hospitals have sanitation protocols regarding uniforms, equipment sterilization, washing, and other preventive measures.
    • Sterilization goes further than just sanitizing.

  • High Pressure

    • High pressure processing (HPP), pascalization or bridgmanization, is a method of preserving and sterilizing food, in which a product is processed under very high pressure, leading to the inactivation of certain microorganisms and enzymes in the food.

  • Cholera

    • Sterilization or proper disposal and treatment of infected fecal waste water produced by cholera victims and all contaminated materials (e.g. clothing, bedding, etc.) is essential.
    • All water used for drinking, washing, or cooking should be sterilized by either boiling, chlorination, ozone water treatment, ultraviolet light sterilization (e.g. by solar water disinfection), or antimicrobial filtration in any area where cholera may be present.

  • Biofilms and Infections

    • Biofilms will form on virtually every non-shedding surface in a non-sterile aqueous (or very humid) environment.
    • Biofilms will form on virtually every non-shedding surface in a non-sterile aqueous (or very humid) environment.