Sterilization Conditions of the Autoclave Equipped in the Breeding Section of Laboratory Animal Center, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo

Abstract

The conditions of sterilization were examined for preparing the aseptic materials using the autoclav e equipped in the Breeding Section of Laboratory Animal Center. Sterilized diets could be prepared by autoclaving at 115°C for 30 min, at 120°C for 20 min or at 125°C for 15 min. Food intake and body weight increase in mice given the autoclaved diet were not different from those given untreated diet, although dietary vitamin B₁ contents reduced to 20-50% of untreated diet after autoclaving. A longer period of autoclaving was necessary to sterilize the drinking water, because of a large value in the specific heat of water. In practice, sterilization of water was required for autoclaving at 120°C for 90 min, while the sterilization of bedding, cage and other materials as well as diet for autoclaving at 120°C for 20 min. [Exp. Animals, 22 (1), 31-36, 1973]