How to Use a Laboratory Autoclave

Hello guys, meet again at Laboratory Blog, and in this meeting the admin will provide useful tutorials or information to friends, namely How to Use an Autoclave. Here is the explanation.

Autoclave

An autoclave is a closed heating device used to sterilize objects using high-temperature, high-pressure steam for approximately 15 minutes. The increased pressure in an autoclave is not intended to kill microorganisms, but rather to increase the temperature within the autoclave.

Source: Wikipedia

Work principle

The working principle of an autoclave is a sterilization process using hot steam and air pressure (wet sterilization).

Autoclave Function

So what is the function of an autoclave? Its function is to sterilize media or laboratory equipment by subjecting the material to saturated high-pressure steam at 121°C for approximately 15-20 minutes at a pressure of 1 atm.

Autoclave Parts

What are the parts of an autoclave? Here are some of the parts of an autoclave, including:

How to use an autoclave

So, here are the steps on how to use an autoclave, including the following:

1. Check the availability of water in the autoclave. If it is not at the optimum limit, it must be added.
2. Materials or tools to be sterilized are arranged on the autoclave rack.
3. Insert the Autoclave rack into the Autoclave.
4. Connect to a power source.
5. Close the Autoclave door by turning the door lock lever until the door is tightly closed.
6. Close the air vent valve.
7. Turn on the device by pressing the power button to the on position.
8. Wait until the temperature rises to 121⁰C and pressure of 1 atm.
9. Wait for 15 minutes.
10. After 15 minutes, turn off the device by pressing the power button to the off position.
11. Open the air vent valve until all the air inside the autoclave has been released.
12. Open the Autoclave door by turning the door lock until the door opens.
13. The racks are removed from the Autoclave using hot hands or cloth gloves.
14. The sterilized materials or tools are removed from the Autoclave rack.
15. Finally, disconnect the power supply.

How to Calibrate an Autoclave

Then, the following is the procedure for calibrating the autoclave, including the following:

1. Autoclave indicator tape

• Attach indicator tape in a circular motion to the packaging to be sterilized. In large autoclaves, the packaging is placed at the top and bottom of the autoclave.
• Set the temperature, time and pressure.
• Turn on the autoclave.
• Once finished, read the indicator tape by observing the color change in the diagonal lines. If the sterilization process is successful, the diagonal lines will change color from white to blackish brown.

2. Bacillus stearothermophilus

1. Insert Bacillus stearothermophilus in lyophilized form in an autoclave.
2. Set the temperature, time and pressure.
3. Turn on the autoclave.
4. Once finished, take it Bacillus stearothermophilus and grow on blood agar and incubate at a temperature of 40 – 60⁰C for 24 – 48 hours.
5. The sterilization process runs well if there is no growth of Bacillus stearothermophilus.

So that's the discussion this time regarding How to Use an AutoclaveHopefully, after reading this article, you'll learn something new about laboratory equipment, especially autoclaves. Thank you.

This article is quoted from the source: https://www.academia.edu/36667306/Laporan_Instrumentasi