An autoclave is a device, comparable to a pressure cooker, that uses temperature and pressure to sterilize objects. It is used in laboratories to sterilize instruments for repeated use, as well as to breakdown organic waste.
An autoclave is a device, comparable to a pressure cooker, that uses temperature and pressure to sterilize objects. It is used in laboratories to sterilize instruments for repeated use, as well as to breakdown organic waste.
Microbes under pressure
An autoclave is a type of pressure pot in which you place material you want to sterilize. It makes use of high temperature and pressure as most microbes do not survive this combination. It forms a closed system, in which a vacuum is created. By heating water to 121-134°C, both pressure and steam is created. Through maintaining these circumstances for a certain amount of time, all the microbes present are killed.
Not only in the laboratory
An autoclave can have multiple formats and functions. They are not only used in a microbiological laboratories like the one found in Micropia. An autoclave is crucial for the sterilization of surgical and pharmaceutical devices and instruments. Therefor it is an essential device in laboratories, hospitals and clinics.
Would you like to know more about the Micropia lab? Visit Micropia and ask your questions to one of our laboratory technicians during the ‘Lab talk’.