Control of microbial growth Flashcards
Removal/destruction of all microorganisms and viruses
Sterilization
Free of all viable microbes, even endospores
Sterile
Elimination of most or all pathogens (implies use of antimicrobial chemicals)
Disinfection
Antimicrobial chemicals non-toxic enough to be used on skin and body tissue
Antiseptics
Reduces number of pathogens to a safe level
Decontamination
Inhibit bacterial growth but does not kill them
Bacteriostatic
Brief heat treatment applied to food that reduces spoilage organisms and destroy pathogens
Pasteurization
Time in min required to kill 90% of a microbial population
Decimal reduction time (D value)
Sterile method using moist heat
Pressurized steam
Sterile method using dry heat
Flaming
Radiation that destroys DNA and damages cytoplasmic membrane
Ionizing
Radiation that produces wavelengths that damage DNA
Ultraviolet
Items that must be sterile because they enter body tissue
Critical items
Items that need to be free of all viruses and vegetative bacteria, may contain endospores because they enter mucous membranes
Semi-critical
Free from most vegetative cells, touch unbroken skin
Non-critical
