Intro of Autoclave
There are a lot of products that need to be sterilized: pharmaceuticals, equipment, solutions, medical waste, and even tattoo needles! We use a device called an Autoclave to sterilize materials in the lab.
Autoclave applications
In today’s demonstration, we’ll show 2 common applications:
1. Sterilize a solution using slow exhaust.
2. Sterilize and dry some empty glassware using fast exhaust.
Would you want a surgeon to use a scalpel that has bacteria growing on it? Of course not! Surgical instruments must be sterilized that means no living organisms are present. There are lots of products that need to be sterilized. Pharmaceuticals… equipment… solutions, medical waste, even tattoo needles. If bacteria, fungi, or viruses are present the result could be deadly.
How do sterilize materials
So how do we sterilize materials in the lab? We use a device called an autoclave. Basically an autoclave is a powerful pressure cooker that uses heat, steam, pressure to destroy microorganisms.
- First we’ll sterilize as a solution using the slow exhaust cycle And
- second, we’ll sterilize some empty bottles using fast exhaust.
Sterilize a solution using slow exhaust:
We need to sterilize this flask containing an agar bacterial media. Cover the top with foil and place a piece of autoclave tape over the foil. Autoclave tape looks like regular masking tape the difference is that it has a special ink. That causes black diagonal lines to appear. When exposed to high temperature.
Turn on the power and make sure the drain valve is closed. Add de-ionized water to the level indicator line. Place the flask of culture media into the basket. Insert the basket, close the lid, and turn the handle to create an airtight seal. Use the control panel to set the mode to sterilize, the temperature to 121 degrees Celsius and the pressure to 15 psi. The slow exhaust mode prevents the liquid from boiling over and out of the flask.
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Run the autoclave for at least 15 minutes. While it’s running, enter the date and time and the operation details in the log and initial it. Once the cycle ends and the pressure gauge reads 0 psi slowly open the door wearing heat resistant gloves. The black lines are visible on the autoclave tape indicating that the proper temperature was reached. Once the culture media has cooled to about 45 degrees Celsius. It’s ready to be poured into Petri dishes.
Sterilize and dry some empty glassware using fast exhaust:
Now let’s run the second autoclave cycle this time using the fast exhaust to sterilize some empty bottles. Tighten the cap, but then loosen it about half way. Place the autoclave tape over the lid and put the bottles into the basket. Set the autoclave to 121 degrees Celsius, 15 psi… and a 20-minute runtime.
Select the fast exhaust mode. Complete and initial the log. Once the cycle ends and the pressure gauge reads 0 psi, slowly open the door and remove the basket the black lines are visible on the tape indicating that the proper temperature was reached.
The autoclave is now ready for another run. Remember slow exhaust is for liquids and medical waste. Fast exhaust is presented glassware an instruments. Now you’re ready to go to the lab and use an autoclave.
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