Chapter 22 - Sterilization in bioprocesses

Abstract

Sterilization is a process to make any material free from living forms such as microorganisms either by eliminating them or killing them. The removal, killing, or deactivation of all forms of life and other biological agents are the main aims of the sterilization process. In ancient times, several techniques of sterilization like drying and salting were practiced traditionally by humans. Heating has been one of the oldest and the most used techniques of sterilization since the beginning of human civilization. But over the period of time, some microorganisms have become heat resistant, so there was a need for various other sterilization methods. Among the various physical methods, temperature, pressure, and radiation all play crucial roles in different kinds of physical sterilization. Sterilization is required for certain surgical apparatus and instruments, industrial and laboratory equipment which require hygiene and an environment fully free of microbial life.