STERILISATION- CHEMICAL

METHODS

Submitted by,
C.GOPIKA DILEEP
1st Msc BIOTECHNOLOGY
STERILISATION
 Sterilisation is a process in which all the living
microorganisms, including bacterial spores are killed.

 Sterilisation can be achieved by physical and chemical

methods.

 A method employed to minimize the growth of

organisms and transmission of disease from one
individual to another.
PRINCIPLE OF STERILISATION
 Sterilization is the killing or removal
of all microorganisms , including bacterial spores, which
are highly resistant.

 Sterilization is usually carried out by autoclaving, which

consists of exposure to steam at 121°C under a pressure
of 15 lb/in2 for 15 minutes.

 Surgical instruments that can be damaged by moist heat

are usually sterilized by exposure to ethylene oxide gas,
and most intravenous solutions are sterilized by
filtration.
 In the environment the use of disinfection techniques
decreases the growth of bacteria on surfaces, which
leads to the decrease in transmission of organisms
amongst the population.

 These techniques are commonly used today in medical

care and food industry.
CHEMICAL METHODS
 Chemicals are also used for sterilization.

 Chemicals, either in a gaseous or liquid form, can be

used as sterilants.

 The use of gas and liquid chemical sterilants avoids the

problem of heat damage, users must ensure that the
article to be sterilized is chemically compatible with the
sterilant being used .
 Ethylene oxide: is the most commonly used gas vapor
sterility method. However it has limited use due to its
harmful properties. The gas is flammable and explosive.

 Formaldehyde gas: is also limited because the chemical

is carcinogenic. Its use is restricted primarily to
sterilization of HEPA filters.

 Alternative to Ethylene oxide is Hydrogen peroxide

vapors, which are effective at sterilization due to the
oxidizing power of the gas.Common uses: Sterilization
of instruments.
 Peracetic acid: a bright colourless liquid, which has a
piercing odor and a pH of 2.8. Produced by the reaction
of hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid.Common uses: In
the food industry as a cleanser and disinfectant.

 Glutaraldehyde: a colourless, pungent liquid produced

industrially by the oxidation of cyclopentene.Common
uses: sterilisation of medical and dental equipment, a
chemical preservative in water treatment and used in
treatment of plantar warts.
 Ozone :is used in industrial settings to sterilize water
and air, as well as a disinfectant for surfaces. It has the
benefit of being able to oxidize most organic matter. On
the other hand, it is a toxic and unstable gas that must be
produced on-site, so it is not practical to use in many
settings.

 Nitrogen dioxide :gas is a rapid and effective sterilant

for use against a wide range of microorganisms,
including common bacteria, viruses, and spores. The
unique physical properties of NO2 gas allow for
sterilant dispersion in an enclosed environment at room
temperature and atmospheric pressure.
CONCLUSION
 Sterilization can be defined as any process that
effectively kills or eliminates transmissible agents (such
as fungi, bacteria, viruses and prions) from a surface,
equipment, foods, medications, or biological culture
medium.

 Variables that affect sterilization include:

 The dryness of devices to be processed.
 The temperature and humidity of the processing area.
 Whether or not the devices were properly prepared and
loaded into the sterilizer .
 Whether or not the sterilizing agent is properly delivered
into the system .
 The sterilizer’s condition and maintenance protocol .
 Whether or not the correct sterilization method and cycle
were used .
REFERENCE
 Lansing M. Prescott, John P. Harley, Donald A. Klein,
Microbiology, V edition, 2003.
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterilization_(microbiolog
y)