Autoclave alternative - (Dec/17/2004 )

Hello all. I was wondering if there is a good alternative to autoclaves for sterilizing flasks and such that are meant for growing bacteria. I am thinking some sort of chemical wash or something?
Just wondering

-JMan

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How about UV lighting or 70% alcohol spray? Also there are plastic big flasks which are autoclavable.

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Dry heat at 180C for several hours is an effective alternative. Watch out for caps, however. The orange Corning and similar 45mm caps for media bottles, specifically, melt.

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Gamma sterilization is the ideal method of choice for best result.

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Hi

You could try a 1% solution of sodium metabisulphite, this is sometimes used to sterilise flasks for brewing and wine making, and seems to be pretty effective.

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1% Sodium met. is a good sterilizer but needs a lot of rinsing. Many home-brewers use either Iodophor or StarSan. As StarSan (a food-grade acid-based sanitizer) tends to leave a residue, I go for iodophor. It's claimed effective at 12.5ppm titrable iodine with a 60second contact time. I use about a couple of capfulls (10ml) in 25litre water.

Have a link about the pros and cons of various sterilization procedures.

http://www.hoslink.com/sterilisation.htm


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B3ka.
Lab grunt, geek and brewer.

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