Sterilisation is defined as the process by which an article, surface or medium is freed of all living microorganisms either in the begetative or spore state.
Disinfection means the destruction or removal of all pathogenic organisms, or organisms capable of giving rise to infection.
The various agents used in sterilisation can be classified as follows:
Disinfection means the destruction or removal of all pathogenic organisms, or organisms capable of giving rise to infection.
The various agents used in sterilisation can be classified as follows:
A. Physical agents
- Sunlight
- Drying
- Dry heat; flaming, incineration, hot air
- Moist heat; pasteurisation, boiling, steam under normal pressure, steam under pressure
- Filtration: candles, asbestos pads, membranes
- Radiation
- Ultrasonic and sonic vibrations
B. Chemicals
- Sunlight
- Drying
- Dry heat; flaming, incineration, hot air
- Moist heat; pasteurisation, boiling, steam under normal pressure, steam under pressure
- Filtration: candles, asbestos pads, membranes
- Radiation
- Ultrasonic and sonic vibrations
