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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1971 August; 22(2): 160-164
Copyright © 1971 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Ultrasonic Synergistic Effects in Liquid-Phase Chemical Sterilization

Department of Organic Chemistry, Ontario Research Foundation, Sheridan Park, Ontario, Canada

ABSTRACT

New methods of sterilization employing a chemical with moderate heat and ultrasonic energy have been devised. Inactivation of high-density bacterial spore suspensions is achieved by treatment with low concentration aqueous acid glutaraldehyde solutions at temperatures above or about 54 C. Low (20 kHz) or high (250 kHz) frequency ultrasonic energy is synergistic with glutaraldehyde. Rapid inactivation may also be achieved by using ultrasonic energy and aqueous alkalinized glutaraldehyde solutions at low (25 C) or moderate (55 C) temperatures. If compared to present room temperature techniques, "surface sterilization" time for contaminated objects can be reduced from hours to minutes.

¹ Present address: Instituto "J. Ferrán" de Microbiología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain.

² Consultant to the Ontario Research Foundation.