ASSIGNMENT IN MEDT 75

Submitted by:
Virata, Abigail M.
201710516

Submitted to:
Maam Hazel Joyce Guiao, RMT
STERILIZATION AND DISINFECTION
Sterilization is a complete distraction and removal form of all microbial pores.
1. Physical Method

a. Moist Heat – most preferred method because of its rapid killing. Bacteria destroy via bacterial protein
coagulation and degradation of nuclei acids.

METHODS:
Inspissation – is the process used when heating high-protein containing media; for example, to enable
recovery of bacteria for testing. Done by the use of inspissator that requires 70℃-80℃ for 2 hours at 3
consecutive days.

Principle: Thickening through evaporation.

Tyndallization/ Fractionallization/ Fractional discontinuous – is the process dating from the nineteenth
century for sterilizing substances, usually food that can be used to kill heat-resistant endospores. Done
by the use of Arnold sterilizer that requires 100℃ for 30 minutes at 3 consecutive days.

Principle: Vegetative cells and a few spores are killed during the first warming and that the safer spores
subsequently develop and are killed amid either the second or the third warming. In spite of the fact that
for the most part sufficient, this technique may fall flat with spores of specific anaerobes furthermore,
thermophiles.

Autoclave – an autoclave is a machine that is used to eradicate biohazardous waste from the surface of
tools or instruments. It sterilizes or disinfect through physical means by using pressure, temperature and
steam. It is the most efficient method of sterilization. It requires 121℃, 15 psi for 15 minutes and for
decontamination, it requires 132℃ for 30-60 minutes.
 Biological indicator: Bacillus stearothermophilus/ Geobacillus stearothermophilus
Principle: Steamed under pressure.

b. Dry Heat – Oxidation of bacterial components.

Methods:

Incineration – most commonly method used for treating infected waste/infectious animals into ashes. It
requires 870℃-980℃ for hazardous wastes and 300℃-400℃ for infected animals.
Principle: Coarse particles and fine particles.

Dry/Hot Air Oven – is most commonly used form of dry heat sterilization. It is a large container that
holds several objects. Once the oven is filled, it is closed and secured for the allotted time it will take to
sterilize. It requires 160℃-180℃ for 1.5– 2 hours.

Biological indicator: Bacillus subtilis var niger

Principle: Sterilizing by dry heat is accomplished by conduction.
 Direct Flame – One of the simplest methods of dry heat sterilization is direct flaming.

Principle: Heat until red hot.

c. Filtration
 Air -HEPA filter: <0.2 um; usually bacteria ranges 0.22-0.45 um whereas viruses is about 0.1
um; filterable agents of infection.
Principle: The water to be treated by the filter into the body from the inlet, the impurities in the
water deposited on the stainless steel filter, the resulting pressure.

 Water – uses Millipore; the removal, deactivation or killing of pathogenic microorganisms.

Principle: Permit the growth of transplanted cells or tissue, while allowing nutrients through.
d. Ionizing radiation – for heat sensitive material. It is used for sterilizing blood bag for patients with
aplastic anemia and for plastic syringes.
Biological indicator: Bacillus pumilus
Principle: Transfer of energy when the radiation passes through material. The energy required to cause
cell death is very small.

2. Chemical Method
a. Formaldehyde – used to sterilize HEPA filter.
Principle: vapor phase hydrogen peroxide kills most bacteria and fungi (including their spores).

b. Peracetic acid – sterilizes surgical instruments

Principle: Oxidizes the outer cell membranes of microorganisms.
 c. Ethylene oxide – sterilizes rooms in hospitals (Operating rooms, Nursery Intensive Care Unit)
Biological Indicator: Bacillus subtilis var globijii
Principle: Alkylating agent that disrupts the DNA of microorganisms, which prevents them from
reproducing.

d. Glutaraldehyde – sterilizes medical instruments; 10x more effective than formaline.

Principle: It is a sterilant, killing endospores in addition to many microorganisms and viruses.

Disinfection is the removal/killing/inhibiting of microorganisms including pathogens but not spores and
saprophytes.
1. Physical Method
a. Boiling - is the process by which a liquid turns into a vapor when it is heated to its boiling point. Requires
100℃ for 15-30 minutes.
Principle: Water boils when its steam pressure equals to atmospheric pressure.
b. Pasteurization - heat-treatment process that destroys pathogenic microorganisms in certain foods and
beverages.
b.1 Batch/Low Temp. Holding – Heating requires 63℃ for 30 minutes. The extended holding time causes
alteration in the milk protein structure and taste.
b.2 Flash/High Temp. Holding – Heating requires 72℃ for 15 seconds. Aims at killing the vegetative
pathogenic and spoilage bacteria as well as denaturing as much serum protein as possible.
b.3 Ultra High Temp. Pasteurization (UHT) – Heating requires 140℃ for 3 seconds. The heat kills all the
vegetative forms of bacteria

c. Non-Ionizing Radiation - uses longer wavelength and lower energy; used in Ultra Violet Rays.
Principle: Reducing microbial populations.
2. Chemical Method
a. Alcohol – 70% concentration penetrate the cell wall more completely which permeates the entire cell,
coagulates all proteins, and therefore the microorganism dies.
Principle: Denaturation of proteins.

b. Halogens - including chlorine, fluorine, and iodine, are also commonly used
for disinfection. Chlorine compounds, including sodium hypochlorite, chloramines, and chlorine dioxide, are
commonly used for water disinfection. Iodine, in both tincture and iodophor forms, is an effective antiseptic.
Principle: Alkylation of nucleic acid of bacteria.

c. Heavy Metals
Mercury (Hg) – antiseptic found in merthiolate.
Copper (Cu) – brilliant blue crystals found in swimming pools used for anti-algae.
Principle: Mineral hydration

Silver (Ag) – silver nitrate (AgNO3) is used as an eye drop solution for treating Opthalmia neonatorium.
Principle: At higher concentrations, it kills bacteria, whereas, at lower concentrations it induces them to
synthesize silver nanoparticles.

d. QUATS (Quaternary Ammonium) - They are effective against most vegetative bacteria and enveloped
viruses, and some fungi.
Principle: Interfere with the function of the cell membrane, resulting in leakage of cell components and
eventually lysis, or destruction of the cell.

Zephiran (benzalkonium chloride) - used to cleanse the skin after minor scrapes, cuts and burns.
Cepacol (Cetylpyridium chloride) - It is used to treat mouth sores. It is used to ease mouth and throat pain. It is
used to treat canker sores.

e. Phenol - Phenol has good penetrating power into organic matter and is mainly used for disinfection of
equipment or organic materials that are to be destroyed.
Principle: Alkylation of nucleic acid of bacteria.