Title: The Autoclave
Course: BTEC-1200-301-302-303-F21 > Section: Aseptic Technique

An autoclave is a machine that uses high pressure and high heat to sterilize liquid and solid materials.  It is simply a strong airtight chamber that boils water in a high pressure environment.  During a sterilization cycle the temperature will meet or exceed 121 degrees celsius which is needed to kill all microorganisms that may contaminating both solid and liquid samples.

How to use it

Autoclaves are typically very simple devices to operate.  Every autoclave will have a water source in which to fill the chamber to an operational level.  The water is added to the chamber by the technician using a switch.  Once the water has been added the chamber is closed and secured with heavy hardware and the heating cycle is selected.  Typically a sterilization cycle is run for sixty minutes.  Autoclave tape or sensors are added with the samples to verify that the cycle ran as expected and that the samples are now sterile.

What should be sterilized in the autoclave

Provided that the sample to be sterilized can withstand the high pressures temperatures generated from the sterilization cycle practically anything can be sterilized.  This includes both liquid and solid samples.  All autoclaves have a operational mode for sterilizing liquid samples.

What media is

When growing either microorganisms or cells a liquid or semi-solid media is used.  Media is essentially a mixture of chemicals or extracts that provides all the nutrients needed for the organism or cell to feed and grow.  There are many formulations depending on what type of growth is required and many of these are available commercially.  They are generally very simple to mix and sterilize requiring just a few hours to complete.  Luria Broth or LB media is the most common media used for growing bacteria and it is the media we will prepared and use for your aseptic technique training.

Remember: The next step is to come into the lab to practice with the materials, view a demonstration, or to even just ask questions. Also, if you are ready to take the lab final, please inform your instructor. The lab final will be performed by yourself and will be graded with a rubric.

Learning Objectives:

- 1.1 - Sterilize media using autoclave.