Autoclaving, also known as steam sterilization or pressure-steam sterilization, is a process used to effectively eliminate microorganisms and bacterial spores from various objects and substances through the application of high-pressure steam. It involves the use of an autoclave, which is a device specifically designed for this purpose.
The process begins by placing the material to be sterilized into the autoclave, which is then sealed to create a closed chamber. Steam is injected into this closed chamber, surrounding the material and raising the temperature to around 121 degrees Celsius (250 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher. The high temperature, combined with the increased pressure produced by the steam, results in the destruction of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and any other potential contaminants present in the material.
Autoclaving is commonly employed in various industries, including healthcare, research laboratories, pharmaceuticals, and food processing, to ensure the safety and sterility of equipment, instruments, medical supplies, biological media, culture media, surgical dressings, and other items that may come into contact with patients or biological samples. It is an extremely reliable and widely used method for sterilization, as it effectively penetrates and sterilizes even hard-to-reach areas and complex objects.
The term "autoclaving" is derived from the combination of "auto-", meaning self, and "claving", from the word "cleave" meaning to split or separate. Thus, autoclaving refers to the process of self-cleaving or self-sterilization through the use of high-pressure steam.
