Matthew Rei B.

De Leon
THX

STERILIZATION AND THE ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE

1. Define sterilization, disinfection, and decontamination. What are their differences and when are they
performed?
Sterilization is a process that renders a product devoid of microorganisms, including bacterial
endospores (Widmer and Frei, 2011). All products that are used when performing microbiological
techniques are pre-sterilized by the manufacturers (i.e. disposable Petri dishes), subjected to moist heat by
using an autoclave (i.e. glassware, pipette tips), or sterilized above a dry heat (i.e. glass spreader,
inoculating loop). These materials are only opened inside the laminar flow hood to avoid exposure to non-
sterile materials: sterilization of the inoculating loop and glass spreader is also done under the hood. On the
other hand, disinfection is the elimination of most, if not all, pathogenic microorganisms, excluding
bacterial spores (Weber, Rutala, and Sickbert-Bennett, 2007). This method is done on the surface of
workstations such as tables and laminar flow hoods. 70% ethanol and Lysol are commonly used for
disinfections because aside from being affordable, these two solutions are truly effective for cleaning work
areas. Lastly, decontamination is the cleaning of an item to remove organic material, protein, and fat. It is
also the eradication of pathogenic microorganisms to a point where the decontaminated items are safe for
handling and can be used again (Patterson, 2009). Items such as used Petri dishes are decontaminated
inside the autoclave.

2. Which type of solutions cannot be autoclaved. Give examples. How are they sterilized?
Solutions of heavy metals cannot be autoclaved particularly if they are too concentrated that is
why they are autoclaved as a component of a growth media. Also, solutions of sugars can only be
autoclaved if they are diluted. Antibiotics, amino acids, and proteins such as enzyme cannot also be
autoclaved since they will be denatured at high temperature and pressure; thus, these are sterilized through
filtration (Yazmin, 2012).

3. What are the modes of action of alcohol and Lysol? What other chemicals may be used to disinfect lab
surfaces?
Alcohols, such as ethanol, exhibit rapid broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against vegetative
bacteria including mycobacteria, viruses, and fungi but are not sporicidal (Yasuda-Yasuki, Namiki-Kanie,
and Hachisaka, 1978). Because of this limitation, alcohols are not recommended for sterilization but are
widely used for disinfection. On the other hand, Lysol, which contains p-Chloro-o-benzylphenol, exhibits
antifungal and antiviral properties. It denatures the proteins and enzymes of the cells. Glutaraldehyde,
chlorine and sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, benzalkonium chloride, and chlorhexidine gluconate
can also be used for disinfecting lab surfaces (Choudhary, 2015).
References:
Choudhary, A. (2015, June). Mode of Action of Disinfectant Solutions. Retrieved January 31, 2020, from
https://www.pharmaguideline.com/2015/06/disinfectant-solutions-and-their-action.html
Patterson, P. (2009). CDC sterilization, disinfection guideline. OR manager, 25(1), 14.
Weber, D. J., Rutala, W. A., & Sickbert-Bennett, E. E. (2007). Outbreaks associated with contaminated antiseptics
and disinfectants. Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy, 51(12), 4217-4224.
Widmer, A. F., & Frei, R. (2011). Decontamination, disinfection, and sterilization. In Manual of Clinical
Microbiology, 10th Edition (pp. 143-173). American Society of Microbiology.
Yasuda-Yasuki, Y., Namiki-Kanie, S., & Hachisaka, Y. (1978). Inhibition of germination of Bacillus subtilis spores
by alcohols. Spores VII. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, DC, 113-116.
Yazmin, A. (2012, August 8). Comprehensive list of chemicals that can/shouldn't be autoclaved together/at all?
Retrieved January 31, 2020, from
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Comprehensive_list_of_chemicals_that_can_shouldnt_be_autoclaved_to
gether_at_all