What is Autoclave?
Simply put, it is to use high-temperature and high-pressure steam to kill all microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and even stubborn bacterial spores, to achieve absolute sterility.
How does it work?
High temperature: usually 121℃ is used to destroy the protein and nucleic acid structure of microorganisms and make them inactive.
High pressure: high pressure environment can increase the boiling point of water, make the steam temperature higher, and enhance the penetration of steam to ensure sterilization without dead corners.
Time: maintain high temperature and high pressure for a certain period of time to ensure that all microorganisms are completely killed.
Which laboratory items need to be sterilized by high pressure steam?
Culture medium: liquid culture medium, solid culture medium, etc.
Experimental instruments: pipettes, culture dishes, test tubes, surgical instruments, etc.
Biological waste: laboratory animal carcasses, tissue samples, bacterial cultures, etc.
Precautions for using high pressure steam sterilization:
Safety first: When operating a high-pressure steam sterilizer, be sure to wear protective equipment and follow the operating procedures.
High equipment requirements: A professional high-pressure steam sterilizer is required, and it must be maintained and calibrated regularly. Some units with higher requirements require the use of pressure steam sterilization biological indicators to monitor the sterilization process.
Operating specifications: Professional personnel are required to operate, and the operator needs to hold a special equipment safety certificate to ensure the sterilization effect and safety.
Item restrictions: Some items that are not resistant to high temperature and pressure, such as plastics, rubber, etc., cannot be sterilized with high-pressure steam. High-pressure steam sterilization is an important guarantee for laboratory safety!