Sterilization by Saturated Steam
Sterilization by Saturated Steam Mukul Bhatnagar: 21464987
Group Members: Chiew See Hau, Daryl Picard, Niamh Meagher, Musawwir Miriah
Introduction Through the course of an entire day, an average human will come into contact with millions of different bacterial species. Just as human exposure to these bacterial species is high, the utensils we commonly use are subjected to a similar degree of exposure. Generally the temperature required to destroy many species of bacteria, fungi, viruses and yeasts is approximately 60C (van Doornmalen, 2008). However, some bacterial species contain endospores that are known to be thermoduric. When a bacteria is thermoduric, it is able to withstand prolonged exposure to temperatures up to an around 100C. Many endospore-forming bacteria are well known for the possible pathological dangers they hold. Therefore, it is vital develop methods by which these bacteria are effectively and efficiently destroyed. The core purpose of a sterilizing agent is that it possesses the ability to be biocidal. A biocide is a microorganism or a chemical substance that has the capability of killing living organisms (Prescott et al., 2005).
There are many methods by which sterility of liquids and solids can be achieved, methods such as; heat, filtration, radiation or chemicals (Prescott et al., 2005). Out of these methods, the most effective option is heat. This includes both moist and dry heat.
The method of dry heat sterilization is also known as incineration. This process involves the complete removal of microorganisms off an object by exposing these microorganisms to exceptionally high temperatures, causing a complete disintegration and oxidation of all the cellular components (Goering et al., 2004). While this technique is effective in disintegrating the cellular structures of most microorganisms, it requires a long exposure time to a high temperature for it to have the desired effect (1 hour at
Group Members: Chiew See Hau, Daryl Picard, Niamh Meagher, Musawwir Miriah
Introduction Through the course of an entire day, an average human will come into contact with millions of different bacterial species. Just as human exposure to these bacterial species is high, the utensils we commonly use are subjected to a similar degree of exposure. Generally the temperature required to destroy many species of bacteria, fungi, viruses and yeasts is approximately 60C (van Doornmalen, 2008). However, some bacterial species contain endospores that are known to be thermoduric. When a bacteria is thermoduric, it is able to withstand prolonged exposure to temperatures up to an around 100C. Many endospore-forming bacteria are well known for the possible pathological dangers they hold. Therefore, it is vital develop methods by which these bacteria are effectively and efficiently destroyed. The core purpose of a sterilizing agent is that it possesses the ability to be biocidal. A biocide is a microorganism or a chemical substance that has the capability of killing living organisms (Prescott et al., 2005).
There are many methods by which sterility of liquids and solids can be achieved, methods such as; heat, filtration, radiation or chemicals (Prescott et al., 2005). Out of these methods, the most effective option is heat. This includes both moist and dry heat.
The method of dry heat sterilization is also known as incineration. This process involves the complete removal of microorganisms off an object by exposing these microorganisms to exceptionally high temperatures, causing a complete disintegration and oxidation of all the cellular components (Goering et al., 2004). While this technique is effective in disintegrating the cellular structures of most microorganisms, it requires a long exposure time to a high temperature for it to have the desired effect (1 hour at
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