Decontamination: Difference between revisions
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imported>Yuval Langer (better explanations about pasteurization sterilization and filtration) |
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In biology, '''decontamination''' is the removal of [[Microorganism|microbial]] life forms. When an item is removed from all microbial life forms it is said to be sterilized. | In biology, '''decontamination''' is the removal of [[Microorganism|microbial]] life forms. When an item is removed from all microbial life forms it is said to be sterilized. | ||
The purpose of sterilization is to destroy every microbial life form on inanimate items, such as surgical instruments. It is done using means that are deadly to all known microbes, such as deadly chemicals, deadly radiation and deadly heat. Sterilization is not done on humans because the agents that are deadly to microbes are also deadly to humans. Some microbes that live on humans are useful and protect against other harmful microbes. | |||
The purpose of pasteurization is to destroy common heat sensitive pathogens without reduction in nutrient value or change in flavor. Food is being heated to 60-70 degrees celsius for 30min to 15sec. The higher the temperature, the less time it takes to kill the pathogens. | |||
The purpose of pasteurization is to destroy common heat sensitive pathogens without reduction in nutrient value or change in flavor. Food is being heated to 60-70 degrees celsius for 30min to 15sec. The higher the temperature, the less time it takes to kill the pathogens. | |||
Bactericides are a group of chemicals that kills all bacterias, except for those in endospore stage. This group of chemicals focus on bacteria, so they may or may not be harmful to other kinds of microbes. | Bactericides are a group of chemicals that kills all bacterias, except for those in endospore stage. This group of chemicals focus on bacteria, so they may or may not be harmful to other kinds of microbes. | ||
Revision as of 09:13, 24 October 2007
In biology, decontamination is the removal of microbial life forms. When an item is removed from all microbial life forms it is said to be sterilized.
The purpose of sterilization is to destroy every microbial life form on inanimate items, such as surgical instruments. It is done using means that are deadly to all known microbes, such as deadly chemicals, deadly radiation and deadly heat. Sterilization is not done on humans because the agents that are deadly to microbes are also deadly to humans. Some microbes that live on humans are useful and protect against other harmful microbes.
The purpose of pasteurization is to destroy common heat sensitive pathogens without reduction in nutrient value or change in flavor. Food is being heated to 60-70 degrees celsius for 30min to 15sec. The higher the temperature, the less time it takes to kill the pathogens.
The purpose of pasteurization is to destroy common heat sensitive pathogens without reduction in nutrient value or change in flavor. Food is being heated to 60-70 degrees celsius for 30min to 15sec. The higher the temperature, the less time it takes to kill the pathogens.
Bactericides are a group of chemicals that kills all bacterias, except for those in endospore stage. This group of chemicals focus on bacteria, so they may or may not be harmful to other kinds of microbes.
Fungicides are a group of chemicals made to destroy fungal spores, hyphae, and yeast.
virucides are a group of chemicals made to inactivate viruses, especially on living tissue, where their metabolism takes place.
sporicides are a group of chemicals made to destroy bacterial endospores. Bacteria in their endospore stage are the hardened Spartans of the microbial world. The chemicals that kill endospores will surely kill all other microbes. That's why sporicides can also be regarded as sterilants.
Gamma radiation Used as a sterilant. Breaks chromosomes.
pro can be applied in the factory as a part of the automated production line. The ratio of number of items sterilized above cost of purchasing and handling of the radioactive sterilant is larger than the ratio of other sterilants.
con radioactives aren't cheap and are very hazardous to handle. Are not to be used on small quantities and on large