What temperature must be reached and maintained for 13 minutes in a stream autoclave to destroy microorganisms?

What temperature must be reached and maintained for 13 minutes in a stream autoclave to destroy microorganisms?

• A. 110 degrees Celsius
• B. 121 degrees Celsius
• C. 170 degrees Celsius
• D. 240 degrees Celsius

Answer: (B)

Moist heat under pressure is used in a stream autoclave to destroy microorganisms by penetrating the load and denaturing essential proteins and nucleic acids. The temperature around 121°C (achieved with about 15 psi of pressure) is the standard setting because it provides enough heat transfer and time to inactivate a broad range of microbes, including many spores, in typical sterilization loads. If you drop to a lower temperature like 110°C, the heat may not be sufficient to guarantee sterility within the same exposure period. Higher temperatures, such as 170°C or 240°C, are not used in this steam autoclave process and would require different methods and could damage items. Maintaining 121°C for a period around 13 minutes aligns with the established practice to achieve effective sterilization.

Moist heat under pressure is used in a stream autoclave to destroy microorganisms by penetrating the load and denaturing essential proteins and nucleic acids. The temperature around 121°C (achieved with about 15 psi of pressure) is the standard setting because it provides enough heat transfer and time to inactivate a broad range of microbes, including many spores, in typical sterilization loads. If you drop to a lower temperature like 110°C, the heat may not be sufficient to guarantee sterility within the same exposure period. Higher temperatures, such as 170°C or 240°C, are not used in this steam autoclave process and would require different methods and could damage items. Maintaining 121°C for a period around 13 minutes aligns with the established practice to achieve effective sterilization.