Autoclave sterilization of lab media requires which parameters?

Autoclave sterilization of lab media requires which parameters?

• A. 15lbs, 121C, 15 mins
• B. 10lbs, 115C, 20 mins
• C. 20lbs, 126C, 25 mins
• D. 5lbs, 100C, 30 mins

Answer: (A)

Autoclave sterilization relies on steam under pressure to raise the temperature above boiling, so heat alone can reliably kill microorganisms and spores. For routine lab media, the standard cycle is 121°C (about 250°F) at 15 psi for 15 minutes. This combination is proven to sterilize most media in typical volumes without overprocessing. The other options don’t match this widely used standard: 115°C is below the target temperature, making sterilization less reliable; 126°C for 25 minutes uses more extreme conditions than the usual cycle; 100°C at 5 psi is just boiling at atmospheric pressure and does not achieve sterilization.

Autoclave sterilization relies on steam under pressure to raise the temperature above boiling, so heat alone can reliably kill microorganisms and spores. For routine lab media, the standard cycle is 121°C (about 250°F) at 15 psi for 15 minutes. This combination is proven to sterilize most media in typical volumes without overprocessing.

The other options don’t match this widely used standard: 115°C is below the target temperature, making sterilization less reliable; 126°C for 25 minutes uses more extreme conditions than the usual cycle; 100°C at 5 psi is just boiling at atmospheric pressure and does not achieve sterilization.