What is the purpose of autoclaving in decontamination?

• A. To dry equipment
• B. To create an acidic environment
• C. To sterilize equipment and materials using steam under pressure
• D. To freeze biological samples

Answer: (C)

Autoclaving serves the essential purpose of sterilizing equipment and materials through the application of steam under pressure. This process effectively eliminates all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. The high temperature and pressure create an environment that penetrates the materials being sterilized, ensuring that even the most resilient organisms are destroyed. Autoclaving is a widely accepted method in various fields, particularly in healthcare and laboratory environments, where maintaining sterility is crucial.

This method is favored for its efficiency and reliability in achieving complete sterilization, making it a standard practice in preparing instruments for surgical procedures and laboratory experiments. By contrast, drying equipment, creating acidic environments, or freezing biological samples do not provide the level of sterility necessary for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of equipment and materials used in critical applications. These processes may have other specific uses, but they do not fulfill the primary role of decontamination in the same way that autoclaving does.