Abstract
The resistance to destruction of spores of Bacillus subtilis var. niger hermetically sealed in various polymeric films and exposed to ethylene oxide with and without relative humidity was determined. The effect of desiccation was also determined. The order of increased resistance to sterilization with regard to type of polymeric film was found to be: polyethylene equal to polyvinyl chloride, less than nylon, less than cellophane/polyethylene laminate, less than phenoxy, less than mylar/polyethylene laminate. Desiccated spores sealed in various polymeric films were much more resistant to ethylene oxide sterilization than nondesiccated spores. Relative humidity was an important factor in ethylene oxide sterilization with spores not sealed in polymeric films. However, with spores hermetically sealed in polyethylene, added relative humidity was an insignificant factor in the sterilization process.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Doyle J. E., Ernst R. R. Influence of various pretreatments (carriers, desiccation, and relative cleanliness) on the destruction of Bacillus subtilis var. niger spores with gaseous ethylene oxide. J Pharm Sci. 1968 Mar;57(3):433–436. doi: 10.1002/jps.2600570313. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Doyle J. E., Ernst R. R. Resistance of Bacillus subtilis var. niger spores occluded in water-insoluble crystals to three sterilization agents. Appl Microbiol. 1967 Jul;15(4):726–730. doi: 10.1128/am.15.4.726-730.1967. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- ERNST R. R., SHULL J. J. Ethylene oxide gaseous sterilization. I. Concentration and temperature effects. Appl Microbiol. 1962 Jul;10:337–341. doi: 10.1128/am.10.4.337-341.1962. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kereluk K., Gammon R. A., Lloyd R. S. Microbiological aspects of ethylene oxide sterilization. IV. Influence of thickness of polyethylene film on the sporicidal activity of ethylene oxide. Appl Microbiol. 1970 Jan;19(1):163–165. doi: 10.1128/am.19.1.163-165.1970. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]