6 Effective Ways to Ensure Sterile Lab Equipment
2 Dec 2014
How do you ensure that your laboratory equipment is sterile and safe? Ensure an effective sterilization solution for your lab with these six methods.
1. Steam Sterilization
Autoclaving offers effective steam sterilization of a range of laboratory equipment at high temperature. The steam is typically heated between 121-134 ˚C and a pressure of 100 kPa. To ensure effective sterilization, the autoclave must allow the steam to penetrate the loaded samples.
2. Dry Heat Sterilization
Dry heat sterilization requires higher temperatures than steam sterilization, as the heat takes longer to penetrate and destroy the microbes. The hot air oven is a good alternative method for using samples such as powders that are not always suited to steam sterilization.
3. Other Heat Sterilization Methods
In addition to dry and steam sterilization methods, other heat sterilization techniques include flaming, incineration and boiling.
4. Sterile Filtration
Sterile filtration is an ideal method for sterilizing liquids that could otherwise be damaged by heat. Filtration is a rapid sterilization method; solution is passed over a filter with pore diameters that are too small to enable microbes to flow through.
5. Chemical Sterilization
Chemicals are also effective for sterilizing samples when heat is not suitable, such as sterilizing biological samples, plastics and electronic materials. Gas sterilizers expose the organisms to a high concentration of a reactive gas such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide and alkylating agents.
6. Radiation Sterilization
Electromagnetic radiation such as UV, X-ray and gamma rays are extremely effective at penetrating organisms and killing them. UV sterilization is effective for sterilizing small sample areas such as laminar hoods, whereas X-ray and gamma rays can be used to sterilize large samples during manufacturing.
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H60 Compact Benchtop Front Loading Autoclaves
Priorclave LtdPriorclave Benchtop Autoclaves offer the flexibility of larger models for the smaller laboratory. With a level of settings and operating flexibility usually reserved for larger autoclaves, the Priorclave H60 compact, front loading 60 litre steam sterilisers enable laboratories with low volume requirements to enjoy the full benefits of a feature-packed range at an affordable price.Designed for bench-mounting and easy installation, models in this versatile H60 range can be supplied for either manual or auto-water fill and come in a choice of standard or vacuum models. These models will appeal to laboratories where space is limited and infrequent sterilisations take place. The H60 compact autoclave is ideally suited for use in a wide range of sterilising applications such as media preparation, laboratory waste, liquids and diluents, glassware, instruments and apparatus.H60 Compact Benchtop Front Loading Autoclaves Features: Operation up to 140C – 2.5 Bar. Quickseal 2 single action closure Complete with thermocouple entry and test ports Forced air cooling as standard helping to reduce cycle times Automatic timed freesteaming as standard for improved air removal and sterilising performance Delayed start and media warming function as standard for ready to pour media at the start of the day
MEDIACLAVE 10 - Media sterilizer
INTEGRA BiosciencesMEDIACLAVE 10 – For fast, reliable and safe media preparation The MEDIACLAVE 10 allows the rapid and gentle sterilisation of 1-10 L culture medium. Precise control of process parameters during the sterilisation process guarantees media of constant high quality. The intuitive multilingual user interface and the simple programming make it very easy, even for untrained users, to operate the MEDIACLAVE 10. Media preparation by the MEDIACLAVE 10 is very easy. The culture medium can be dissolved directly within the instrument. Automatic self checks and several monitoring systems guarantee highest operational safety. The MEDIACLAVE 10 can be conveniently connected to the INTEGRA Biosciences MEDIAJET, allowing the automated dispensing of media into up to 540 Petri dishes at the touch of a button. Features and benefits: • Flow heater system for fast and gentle media preparation. • Powerful bidirectional stirrer to guarantee homogeneous media. • Controlled vessel deaeration for complete media sterilisation • Indication of service intervals to avoid unscheduled downtime. • TÜV certified for compliance to international safety standards. • Integrated web server for online documentation of the process. • Electronically signed log files according to FDA and EU guidelines.