Some sterilization procedures do not kill all the microbes that may be present. Explain how these procedures may, for practical purposes, still be considered sterilization

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Theoretically, sterilization is the complete removal or destruction of all microbes in a particular environment. These include dormant forms of microbes, such as bacterial endospores. However, from a practical standpoint, one must take other factors into account when deciding what is or is not sterile. For example, the particular application of the sterilized material must be considered. Although there may be hyperthermophilic microbes present in canned foods after sterilization, they cannot grow and divide at normal shelf temperatures; thus, their presence does not cause problems. In practice, only those microbes that would cause problems either by their presence or by their continued growth and reproduction are generally the targets of sterilization methods. When these microbes have been eliminated, the goal of sterilization can be said to have been reached.
Bloom's Taxonomy: Application
Section: Basic Principles of Microbial Control
Learning Outcome: 9.1