Yingtai: Biological Principle of Autoclaves

Yingtai: Biological Principle of Autoclaves

An autoclave, also known as a high-pressure steam sterilizer, is a device that uses high-temperature, high-pressure steam for sterilization.

The Effect of High Temperature and Pressure on Microorganisms

The autoclave generates an environment with high-temperature, high-pressure steam, which effectively kills a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and their spores or endospores. When the steam pressure reaches 1.05 kg/cm², the temperature of the steam can rise to 121°C. Under these conditions, maintaining the temperature for 15 to 30 minutes is sufficient to kill all microorganisms and their spores. This is because high temperature destroys microbial cell membranes and protein structures, leading to cell death. At the same time, the high-pressure environment accelerates this process, ensuring more thorough sterilization.

Steam Penetration Ability

Steam has excellent penetration ability and can reach deep into the interior of the items being sterilized, which is an advantage that other sterilization methods cannot match. This characteristic allows steam to effectively sterilize areas that are difficult to access, such as the inside of tubes or tightly packed items.

Removal of Pyrogens

In addition to microorganisms themselves, certain metabolic products of microorganisms, such as pyrogens (lipopolysaccharides found in bacterial cells), can also pose a risk to human health. The high-pressure steam autoclave can effectively remove these pyrogens at high temperatures, further ensuring the effectiveness of sterilization.

Types of Autoclaves and Their Applications

Autoclaves can be classified into different types based on their working principles and design, such as gravity displacement steam sterilizers, vacuum pressure steam sterilizers, and more. Each type has its specific applications and advantages. Gravity displacement steam sterilizers are suitable for sterilizing pharmaceuticals, culture media, glassware, and hygiene products, while vacuum pressure steam sterilizers are better suited for sterilizing packaged medical instruments.

The biological principle of autoclaves relies mainly on the sterilizing action of high-temperature, high-pressure steam on microorganisms and their spores, as well as the steam's excellent penetration ability and its ability to remove pyrogens. These characteristics make autoclaves indispensable tools in microbiological laboratories, with widespread applications in healthcare, scientific research, agriculture, and other fields.