AIR IN AUTOCLAVING

The presence of air or gases could be a complicating factor during autoclaving process. The volume that makes up the internal environment of the autoclave is filled with air. Air itself is a bad conductor of heat. So the presence of air in the autoclaving could affect the efficiency of the autoclaving process, unless these air are removed before the start of the autoclaving process.
The removal of air from within the autoclave could be carried out by heating the autoclave until active steaming is carried out. Once this is achieved the valve could be closed and the autoclaving process is started.
What is not often appreciated is that air is not only present in the autoclave but are also present in the spaces of the bottles, test tubes, fermentors and containers to be autoclaved. It is important therefore that this consideration be taken into account.
Sufficient time and heating must be given to drive these air out too or else the parameters for the sterilization cycle be modified if needed.


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