The new sterilization studied the performance of hydrogen peroxide(H_2O_2)low temperature plasma sterilizer(STERRAD^<[○!R]>), developed in the United States. The sterilization process was as follows : Vacuum process, Injection of 50% H_2O_2(in a 1 ml ampule), Air duffusion process, Low temperature plasma process, and Recovery to atmospheric pressure, Completion of the process. Following five bacteria were used for the sterilization test; Bacillus subtilis globigii, B. stearothermophilus, B. licheniformis(these bacilli used were spores), Staph. aureus and Aspergillus niger. The results were as follows : When B. subtilis and B. stearothermophilus(spore, on a filter paper chip)were put in a special purpose packaging materials(STERRAD^<[○!R]>), which were further sealed by heating, they were killed by 50 minutes sterilization with the low temperature plasma of hydrogen peroxide. Sterilization process of hydrogen peroxide low temperature plasma; Free radicals(hydroxy radical, hydrogen radical, superoxide and hydroperoxy radical)are very reactive and exhibit enough bacteriocidal activity within a short time. Microorganisms are possible killed by the attack of these active molecules. The method using this equipment has merits that the sterilization can be performed at low temperature(25°to 30°)and low moisture, and that the procedure is not dangerous, because no toxic compounds are secondarily produced during sterilization.
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