Sterilization

Name:
Sterilization
Detailed information:
(1) Complete destruction of all bacteria and other infectious organisms in an industrial, food, or medical product; it must be followed by aseptic packaging to prevent recontamination, usually by hermetic sealing. The methods used involve either wet or dry heat, use of chemicals such as formaldehyde and ethylene oxide filtration (pharmaceutical products), and irradiation by UV or γ-radiation. Milk is sterilized by heating for 30 seconds at 135C, followed by in-can heating at 115C for several minutes and aspetic packaging.(2) Rendering a life-form incapable of reproduction by radiation or chemical treatment. See Chemosterilant.