18/09/2024
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐๐ยฐ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ณ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
The temperature of 121ยฐC is widely used for autoclave sterilization as it effectively destroys microorganisms, including resistant bacterial spores, without harming the materials being sterilized. Hereโs why this specific temperature is preferred:
๐. ๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ยฐ๐:Autoclaves operate with ๐ฌ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐๐ฆ under pressure (typically 15 psi), reaching 121ยฐC. Steam transfers heat more efficiently than dry air, allowing faster destruction of microbial cells and spores.
๐. ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: Bacterial spores from species like ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ and ๐๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฌ are heat-resistant, but the moist heat at 121ยฐC penetrates and kills them in a 15-20 minute cycle.
๐. ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ฐ๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ญ๐ฒ: While higher temperatures (e.g., 134ยฐC) can accelerate sterilization, 121ยฐC offers an ideal balanceโefficient enough to sterilize without damaging heat-sensitive materials such as rubber, plastics, or fabrics.
๐. ๐๐ข๐๐๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐: The use of 121ยฐC is a globally accepted standard in microbiology and medicine, defined by both the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)and the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).
At 121ยฐC (250ยฐF), saturated steam kills microorganisms, including vegetative cells and endospores, within 10-12 minutes, ensuring thorough sterilization. Temperatures below this, such as 100ยฐC, are insufficient for complete sterilization.
While 121ยฐC works for most applications, always consult recommended parameters for specific materials to ensure optimal autoclaving conditions.
