Moist Heat Sterilization

Moist heat is a heated, high-pressure steam process to sterilize objects. This moist heat autoclave technology does not involve any toxic liquid or smoke, and kills and eliminates potentially infectious bacteria, viruses and spores relatively cheaply, quickly, and effectively.

Bacteria and viruses are made of proteins and sterilize by denaturating these proteins to produce moist heat. Denaturation is the process by which the structure of proteins is destroyed and changed, and once bacteria and viruses are denaturated, they are unable to cause infection.

Through moist heat steam, the most resistant spores require a temperature of 121°C for about half an hour. This is a more efficient vapour method compared to dry heat sterilization. This is supported by the fact that by humid heat, sterilization can be achieved at lower temperatures in a shorter period of time.

Wet heat has some drawbacks. Because it uses steam (water vapor), objects can get wet and possibly rust.