5.3
Physikalische Methoden zur Kontrolle mikrobiellen Wachstums: Strahlung und Filtration
Strahlung und Filtration sind unverzichtbare Werkzeuge zur mikrobiellen Kontrolle, wobei sie Mikroorganismen durch unterschiedliche Mechanismen bekämp…
Strahlung tötet oder hemmt das Wachstum von Mikroorganismen.
Sicherheitswerkbänke verwenden nichtionisierende UV-Strahlung, die die DNA schädigt und Oberflächen, Luft und Wasser desinfiziert, aber ihre begrenzte Durchdringung verhindert, dass sie Schüttgüter wie Konserven desinfiziert.
Ionisierende Strahlung wie Röntgen- und Gammastrahlen dringt tief ein, zerstört Endosporen, sterilisiert Antibiotika, Krankenhausbedarf und Lebensmittel.
Kaltplasma, der vierte Aggregatzustand, der UV-Strahlen aussendet, hat sich zu einem starken antimikrobiellen Mittel entwickelt, das zur Sterilisation von Medizinprodukten und zur Konservierung von Lebensmitteln verwendet wird.
Die Filtration entfernt die meisten Mikroben und wird zur Sterilisation von wärmeempfindlichen Flüssigkeiten und Gasen eingesetzt.
Membranfilter mit 0,2 μm Poren, hergestellt aus Celluloseestern oder Kunststoffpolymeren, entfernen die meisten Mikroben und sterilisieren Nährmedien, Impfstoffe und Antibiotika.
Tiefenfilter, wie z. B. HEPA-Filter, die in Sicherheitswerkbänken, Operationssälen und Verbrennungseinheiten verwendet werden, fangen 99,97 % der Partikel, einschließlich Viren, in ihrer porösen Matrix ein.
In ähnlicher Weise blockieren N95-Masken 95 % der in der Luft befindlichen Partikel über 0,3 μm.
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Q1: How does UV radiation kill microorganisms in safety cabinets?
UV radiation, a non-ionizing radiation type, is absorbed by microbial DNA, causing defects that kill or inhibit microorganisms. Safety cabinets use UV radiation to disinfect surfaces, air, and water effectively. However, UV radiation has limited penetration depth, making it unsuitable for sterilizing bulk items like canned foods.
Q2: What is the difference between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation for microbial control?
Non-ionizing UV radiation damages DNA but cannot penetrate thick layers, limiting its use to surfaces and air. Ionizing radiation, such as X-rays and gamma rays, penetrates deeply and destroys all microbes, including highly resistant endospores. This makes ionizing radiation ideal for sterilizing vaccines, antibiotics, hospital supplies, and food products.
Q3: Why is filtration preferred for sterilizing heat-sensitive liquids and antibiotics?
Filtration is a chemical-free method that removes microorganisms without applying heat or chemicals, making it ideal for heat-sensitive materials. Membrane filters with 0.2 μm pores, made of cellulose esters or plastic polymers, effectively remove most microbes from culture media, vaccines, and antibiotics while preserving their integrity.
Q4: How do HEPA filters and N95 masks protect against airborne microbes?
HEPA filters trap 99.97% of particles, including viruses, within their porous matrix through adsorption, making them critical for sterile environments in operating rooms and burn units. N95 masks block 95% of airborne particles larger than 0.3 μm, providing essential personal protection against microbial threats in healthcare and daily settings.
Q5: What is cold plasma and how does it sterilize medical devices?
Cold plasma is the fourth state of matter that emits UV rays and exhibits remarkable antimicrobial properties. It is increasingly used for sterilizing medical devices and preserving food, offering a versatile and effective solution for microbial control that complements traditional radiation and filtration methods.
Q6: Why can't UV radiation sterilize canned foods while gamma rays can?
UV radiation has limited penetration depth and cannot pass through thick layers or opaque materials like metal cans. Gamma rays, an ionizing radiation type with wavelengths shorter than 1 nm, penetrate deeply into objects and destroy all microbes, including endospores, making them effective for sterilizing packaged food products.
Q7: What pore size do membrane filters use to remove most microorganisms?
Membrane filters use pore sizes as small as 0.2 μm to effectively remove most microorganisms from liquids and gases. These filters, made from cellulose esters or plastic polymers, are widely used for sterilizing culture media, vaccines, and antibiotics, providing reliable microbial removal without damaging heat-sensitive materials.