Comparative evaluation of the microbicidal activity of low-temperature sterilization technologies to steam sterilization

Abstract

Objective:To compare the microbicidal activity of low-temperature sterilization technologies (vaporized hydrogen peroxide [VHP], ethylene oxide [ETO], and hydrogen peroxide gas plasma [HPGP]) to steam sterilization in the presence of salt and serum to simulate inadequate precleaning.Methods:Test carriers were inoculated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, Mycobacterium terrae, Bacillus atrophaeus spores, Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores, or Clostridiodes difficile spores in the presence of salt and serum and then subjected to 4 sterilization technologies: steam, ETO, VHP and HPGP.Results:Steam, ETO, and HPGP sterilization techniques were capable of inactivating the test organisms on stainless steel carriers with a failure rate of 0% (0 of 220), 1.9% (6 of 310), and 1.9% (5 of 270), respectively. The failure rate for VHP was 76.3% (206 of 270).Conclusion:Steam sterilization is the most effective and had the largest margin of safety, followed by ETO and HPGP, but VHP showed much less efficacy.

Ethylene oxide review: characterization of total exposure via endogenous and exogenous pathways and their implications to risk assessment and risk management

“…A. flavus, A. niger, A. fumigatus, A. versicolor, N. fischeri, E. chevalieri, P. chrysogenum, C. globosum, Ulocladium) (Ries et al, 1996;Alfa et al, 1996;Rakotonirainy et al, 2003;Rutala et al, 2020;Shintani, et al, 2017).…”

Evaluation of Regeneration Processes for Filtering Facepiece Respirators in Terms of the Bacteria Inactivation Efficiency and Influences on Filtration Performance

“…For example, under FDA guidelines, the HPV method recently approved for mask regeneration was evaluated by using Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores, 38 and Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were used to evaluate the widely used EO method for medical devices. 39 Suspensions of two commonly used model bacteria (Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis), 40,41 which were used to mimic respiratory droplets containing pathogens, were employed in the present study. The bacteria inactivation efficiencies of MWI, UVI, a combination of UVI and MWI (UVI+MWI), steam exposure, and 75% ethanol were evaluated.…”

“…Model bacteria have been widely used to evaluate the inactivation efficacies of different decontamination methods. For example, under FDA guidelines, the HPV method recently approved for mask regeneration was evaluated by using Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores, and Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were used to evaluate the widely used EO method for medical devices . Suspensions of two commonly used model bacteria ( Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis ), , which were used to mimic respiratory droplets containing pathogens, were employed in the present study.…”

Advances in the application of functional nanomaterial and cold plasma for the fresh‐keeping active packaging of meat

“…Additionally, gas plasma reactions can quickly and effectively kill microorganisms (like bacterial cells, spores, yeasts, and fungi) that adhere to polymer surfaces (Umair et al, 2020 ). Using cold plasma, plastic bottles, caps, and sheets can be sterilized quickly without changing their shape or leaving residue behind (Rutala et al, 2020 ). Following a brief discussion of the physics and chemistry of cold plasma, this review further describes the most recent applications of cold plasma technology for modifying polymers used in food packaging.…”