Microorganisms can be killed at relatively low temperatures under hot and humid conditions compared to dry heat sterilization. The conventional operating temperature of the autoclave is 121 ° C, the time is 10 ~ 20 min; 115 ° C can also be selected to achieve the same killing effect, the general time is 45 min.
Thermal methods are methods of sterilization in specially designed sterilization equipment where the temperature within the equipment is controllable by gas or electrical heating. Dry heat sterilization is based on incineration or oxidation to dehydrate and kill microorganisms for sterilization purposes. Since dry heat sterilization is less effective in killing microorganisms, higher temperatures and longer times are required.
The specific temperature and time should be determined according to the size and type of the product, the container and its heat distribution characteristics. In general, the individual unit to be sterilized should be as small as possible, and the hot air should be able to circulate freely in the equipment container chamber when the sterilization equipment is loaded. The temperature of dry heat sterilization is usually 160 to 170 ° C, and the time is ≥ 2 h. Higher temperatures reduce time, whereas lower temperatures take longer.