The sterilization options list includes many products and in this article, hot air oven manufacturers will talk about heat sterilization options and their uses, especially in the laboratory.
The process of sterilization is performed in two ways – moist and dry. When the process is carried out at extreme water pressure (steam), it is considered as moist heat sterilization. For instance, you may have a steamer to dry clean your expensive clothing. That steamer is using this moist heat sterilization technique to make your clothing germ-free. On the other hand, when the process of sterilization is performed at high temperature under dry condition, it is dry heat sterilization.
Dry heat is widely used and the most popular method to sterilize several pharmaceutical products and components. Experts in labs use dry heat sterilization for heat-stable oils, powders, and ointments. Most of the time, parental containers are being sterilized with a hot air oven. The process is used on specific heat-stable components, metal equipment, glass jars, and containers, etc. to render the item and make it pyrogen-free. You can kill all microorganisms including bacterial spores with this method. However, for best results, the technique requires longer exposure of time, approx 1.5 to 3 hours and higher temperature as compared to moist heat sterilization.
Labs usually use dry heat ovens to make their products free from germs and bacteria. The technique is applied to those components that might get damage when exposing to extreme moist heat, such as powders, sharp instruments, and petroleum-based products.
Working Principle of Dry Heat Sterilization
Disinfecting lab components with dry heat is achieved with the conduction process. The heat gets absorbed by the outer surface of the product and later transmitted to the center of the product, layer by layer. The product will reach the desired temperature to accomplish purification.
Dry heat usually affects the product with the oxidized molecules. It destroys the essential cell constituents and kills the organism. In the oven, high temperature is maintained for an hour to kill the maximum microorganisms.
Widely accepted time and temperature combination for killing micro germs with dry heat –
– 170 degrees for 30 minutes
– 160 degrees for 60 minutes
– 150 degrees for 150 minutes or longer if quantity is more
Benefits of Dry Heat Sterilization process-
- You don’t need to suffer while installing a dry heat cabinet. These products are easy to install and have relatively low operating costs.
- Dry heat systems penetrate materials.
- The process is non-toxic and environment-friendly.
- The process doesn’t corrode metal and sharp instruments.
Some commonly used dry heat sterilization instruments –
- Microwave
- Hot air oven
- Radiation
- Burning
- Flaming
- Bunsen burner
- Glass bead sterilizer
Among these products, most labs operate hot air oven since it can hold several objects. The experts close the oven for a pre-decided timeframe to kill the bacteria from inside the objects. These ovens are well-crafted to penetrate the objects without causing them harm. Hot air oven systems are environment-friendly. These systems use the conduction method to keep the components germ free. The heat produced by the oven is absorbed by the object resting inside. Layer by layer, heat is transmitted to the center of the object.
Hot air oven is being made in two designs –
- Static air hot air oven – These ovens have heat-producing coils at the bottom. These ovens consume some time to achieve the desired temperature.
- Forced air hot air oven – These ovens contain a motorized blower which is responsible for even distribution of the heat across the oven. These are instant hot air ovens.
Why Choosing Dry Heat Sterilization Is Best?
Dry heat option is best for sterilizing lab objects and components due to many reasons, such as-
- Cost-effective – The process is cost-effective since experts don’t have to use water to achieve the desired results. Moreover, the dry heat method doesn’t affect the quality of the components being sterilized.
- Cooling of objects at a faster rate – the items being treated by dry heat method require lesser time to cool down. Medical experts can use the objects in few minutes right after the sterilization.
- Dry heat comes with control – Dry heat sterilizing systems are designed with control options. There is no need to set the time and temperature since there is a control button that treats the objects on their own once you press it. So, there is no such need for human interventions during the process.
You must reach your local hot air oven manufacturers to know about their offerings. For the best information, you can take the help of the internet, online reviews, and testimonials of the companies.
