Why is the wet heat method better than the dry heat method for steam sterilizers?
Dry heat sterilizer is an electric heating sterilizer, which uses hot air to kill microorganisms or eliminate pyrogen. It has outstanding sterilization efficiency. It can kill reproductive bacteria at 100 degree /1h, and heat-resistant bacteria at 120 degree for a long time.
However, the steam sterilizer adopts wet heat sterilization method. At the same temperature, wet heat is better than dry heat for sterilization for the following reasons.
1. The temperature required for protein solidification is related to water content. The higher the water content, the lower the temperature required for protein solidification. In damp heat sterilization, the thall proteins absorb water and thus solidify more easily than in hot dry air at the same temperature.
2. Wet heat sterilization process steam release a lot of latent heat, further improve the temperature. At the same temperature, wet heat sterilization time is shorter than dry heat.
3. The penetration of hot and humid gas is stronger than that of hot and dry gas, so the effect of hot and humid gas is better than that of dry heat. High pressure steam can kill all microorganisms, even including bacterial spores, fungal spores and other high-temperature resistant individuals. The temperature of sterilized steam increases with the increase of steam pressure, and the sterilizing time can be greatly shortened by increasing steam pressure. It is therefore one of the most effective and widely used sterilization methods.
So, are you still considering the type of steam sterilizer you choose? Do you need to replace your sterilizer?
