Terminology Relating to the Control of Microbial Growth

Sterilization

destruction or removal of all forms of microbial life, including endospores but with the possibility of prions.

usually done by steam under pressure or a sterilizing gas, such as ethlyene oxide.

Commercial Sterilization

sufficient heat treatment to kill endospores of Clostridium botulinumin canned food.

more-resistant endospores of thermophilic bacteria may survive, but they will not germinate and grow under normal storage conditions.

Disinfection

destruction of vegetative pathogens on inanimate objects.

may make use of physical or chemical methods.

Antisepsis

destruction of vegetative pathogens on living tissue.

treatment is almost always by chemical antimicrobials.

Degerming

removal of microbes from a limited area, such as the skin around an injection site.

mostly a mechanical removal by soap and water or an alcohol-soaked swab.

Sanitization

treatment is intended to lower microbial counts on eating and drinking utensils to safe public health levels.

may be done with high-temperature washing or by dipping into a chemical disinfectant.