Sterilization

Sterilization is a process of removing or killing of

microorganism from an object such as medium,
glassware, table surface equipment etc.
Heat : moist heat and dry heat
Filtration
Chemicals
Radiation

 Heat :
Autoclaving : moist heat
Hot air oven : dry heat

 Filtration:
Filtration is a way to reduce the microbial population in
solutions of heat-sensitive material
There are two types of filters
Deapth filters
Membrane filters

 Radiation:
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation around 260 nm
UV radiation causes thymine-thymine dimerization of DNA, preventing
replication and transcription.
However, UV does not penetrate glass, dirt films, water, and other substances
very effectively

Ionizing radiation such as Gamma from Cobalt 60

Ionizing radiation consists of waves and particles that are of sufficient energy to
dislodge electrons from atoms or molecules, producing chemically reactive free
radicals. The free radicals react with nearby matter to weaken or destroy it.
Ionizing radiation will destroy bacterial spores and all microbial cells; however,
ionizing radiation is not always effective against viruses

 Disinfection : Killing, inhibition or removal of

microorganisms that may cause disease. Usually it is
applied on inanimate object .
Disinfectants are agents, usually chemical, used to
carry out disinfection. A disinfectant does not
necessarily sterilize an object because viable spores
and a few microorganisms may remain.
Sanitization : removal or killing of microorganism to a
level that are considered to be safe by public health
standards.

 Factors controlling effectiveness of antimicrobial

effectiveness
Population size
Population composition
Concentration or intensity of an antimicrobial agent
Duration of exposure
Temperature
Local environment
pH
Organic compounds present

Control of Microorganism
Sterilization:
Disinfection:
Pattern of Microbial death:
Exponential