Sterilization of Apparatus for Microbiology Experiments : Containers of dangerous biological materials and the doors leading to laboratories or rooms in which work with pathogenic micro-organisms is carried out should be labelled with the biohazard warning symbol. The following methods are employed to sterilize different types of apparatus for microbiological experiments. You will study about autoclave, hot air oven and how to operate these instruments in LT-2 course.

Glassware( kg. petri dishes, pipettes, flasks, test-tubes and syringes) - Stopper the. washed and dried flasks and tubes loosely and wrap pipettes and syringes in brown paper or metal foil before sterilizing in a hot air oven at 120°C for few hours.

Inoculation loops, mouths o f culture tubes, slides, cover slips and forceps points - Dip in disinfectant, wash and pass through a flame before use.

Contaminated floors and benches. - Wash with 3% 'Lysol' solution or other suitable disinfectant solution.

Culture media, rubber washers and bottle caps. Heat for 30 minutes under pressure in an autoclave or pressure cooker.