Module 6 Microbial Control

Microbial populations

Large groups of microorganisms.

Microbial growth

The increase in the number of microorganisms.

Control of microbial growth

The ability to limit or inhibit the growth of microorganisms.

Sterilization

The removal or destruction of all living microorganisms.

Chemical agents

Methods or techniques that control microorganisms using chemical substances.

Decontamination

The treatment of an object or surface to make it safe to handle.

Disinfection

A process that directly targets pathogens and kills or inhibits their growth.

Physical Method

A method of controlling microbial growth that involves physical means.

Chemical Method

A method of controlling microbial growth that involves the use of chemicals.

Heat

A physical method of controlling microbial growth that involves the use of high temperatures.

Radiation

A physical method of controlling microbial growth that involves the use of radiation.

Filtration

A physical method of controlling microbial growth that involves the use of filters.

Moist Heat

A type of heat treatment that uses steam to kill microorganisms.

Autoclave

A sealed heating device that uses steam under pressure to kill microorganisms.

Pasteurization

A heat treatment that significantly reduces the number of microorganisms in liquids.

Dry Heat

A type of heat treatment that uses high temperatures without steam to sterilize objects.

Incineration

A method of destroying contaminated materials by burning them.

Flaming

A method of killing microorganisms by exposing them to a flame.

Ionizing radiation

A type of radiation that produces ions and other reactive species to kill microorganisms.

Depth filter

important in biosafety applications such as in a biological safety cabinet.

membrane filter

most common filters used for liquid sterilization.

nucleopore filter

commonly used to isolate specimens for scanning electron microscopy

Antimicrobial agent

is a natural or synthetic chemical that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms.

-cidal agents

Agents that actually kill microbes. The prefix indicating the type of microorganism killed.

(bactericidal, fungicidal, viricidal)

-static agents

Agents that do not kill but only inhibit growth (bacteriotatic, fungistatic, viristatic)

Antiseptics or germicides

chemicals that kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms but are sufficiently nontoxic to animals applied to living tissues.

UV Radiation

useful for disinfecting surfaces and air.

Cotton plug

What do you consider as a good fitering agent in preventing the entry of microbes in glassware?

Inversely proportional

What is the relationship of time and temperature in Decimal Reduction Time?

Moist heat

Kills more quickly when using heat

Antiseptics

Handwashing is an example of what kind of antimicrobial agent

15

pounds per square inch are the volume you need to use in autoclaving

Physical

It is the method used in microbial control in industry, medicine and home

Flash Pasteurization

apply the higher temperature in a very short time

Ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) pasteurization

135°C for 1–2 sec and actually sterilizes the

milk such that it can be stored at room temperature for long periods

without spoilage.

Decimal Reduction Time

heat killing proceeds more rapidly as the temperature rises.