sterilis

Sterilization is the process of destroying or removing all forms of microbial life, including spores, to achieve a sterile state. The term derives from Latin sterilis. It is used in medicine, microbiology, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and water treatment, and in reproductive medicine where it denotes permanent contraception. Sterilization is distinct from disinfection and sanitization, which reduce but do not guarantee complete elimination of life forms.

Applications of sterilization include health care and laboratory equipment such as surgical instruments, implants, syringes, and cell cultures; sterile pharmaceuticals and aseptically manufactured products; and retort processing or other methods used to sterilize foods and beverages. Water treatment and the production of sterile supplies for clinical use also rely on sterilization.

Methods fall into several broad categories. Physical methods include moist heat via steam under pressure (autoclaving), dry heat, filtration for heat‑sensitive liquids, and irradiation (gamma rays or electron beams). Chemical and gas methods include ethylene oxide gas sterilization, hydrogen peroxide plasma, and peracetic acid-based processes. Some items use combinations of methods to ensure penetration, material compatibility, and safety.

Verification and safety are central to quality control in sterilization. Practices aim for a very low probability of undetected viable microorganisms, often expressed as a sterility assurance level (for example, SAL 10^-6). Packaging integrity, process validation, routine monitoring with biological indicators, and adherence to standards (such as ISO guidelines or pharmacopeial requirements) are routinely required.

In humans, sterilization also refers to permanent contraception through procedures like tubal ligation or vasectomy, which carry ethical, medical, and legal considerations and require informed consent in many jurisdictions. History of sterilization includes the development of steam-based methods and aseptic techniques that became standard in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.