Efficacy of Sterilization Methods and Their Influence on the Electrochemical Behavior of Plain Carbon Steel

Minimizing contamination of control treatments in microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) studies is of critical importance. Metal sterilization procedures should not alter the surface nor affect the inherent susceptibility of the metal to corrosion while adequately deactivating biological acti...

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Main Authors: Iannuzzi, Mariano, Giai, C., Kappes, M., Rincón-Ortiz, M., Senko, J.
Format: Journal Article
Published: The Electrochemical Society, Inc 2016
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/57010
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author Iannuzzi, Mariano
Giai, C.
Kappes, M.
Rincón-Ortiz, M.
Senko, J.
author_facet Iannuzzi, Mariano
Giai, C.
Kappes, M.
Rincón-Ortiz, M.
Senko, J.
author_sort Iannuzzi, Mariano
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Minimizing contamination of control treatments in microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) studies is of critical importance. Metal sterilization procedures should not alter the surface nor affect the inherent susceptibility of the metal to corrosion while adequately deactivating biological activity. However, there is no consensus in the literature regarding such procedures due to, in part, the lack of a universally accepted methodology. This investigation evaluates various sterilization methods for carbon steel concerning practicality, efficacy, and effects on the electrochemical response of the metal. Three sterilization procedures using i) dry heat, ii) ethanol, or iii) glutaraldehyde as sterilizing agents were evaluated. Even though all sterilization approaches were equally effective in eliminating microorganisms and spores from the metal surface, dry heating at 170°C in an inert atmosphere was identified as the most convenient sterilization method regarding practicality and consistency in the electrochemical response of the metal. Sterilization of carbon steels in 75 vol% ethanol and glutaraldehyde, as well as alcohol followed by flaming, is discouraged given the large dispersion in corrosion response caused by the exposure to the sterilization media.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-570102018-02-05T06:56:32Z Efficacy of Sterilization Methods and Their Influence on the Electrochemical Behavior of Plain Carbon Steel Iannuzzi, Mariano Giai, C. Kappes, M. Rincón-Ortiz, M. Senko, J. Minimizing contamination of control treatments in microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) studies is of critical importance. Metal sterilization procedures should not alter the surface nor affect the inherent susceptibility of the metal to corrosion while adequately deactivating biological activity. However, there is no consensus in the literature regarding such procedures due to, in part, the lack of a universally accepted methodology. This investigation evaluates various sterilization methods for carbon steel concerning practicality, efficacy, and effects on the electrochemical response of the metal. Three sterilization procedures using i) dry heat, ii) ethanol, or iii) glutaraldehyde as sterilizing agents were evaluated. Even though all sterilization approaches were equally effective in eliminating microorganisms and spores from the metal surface, dry heating at 170°C in an inert atmosphere was identified as the most convenient sterilization method regarding practicality and consistency in the electrochemical response of the metal. Sterilization of carbon steels in 75 vol% ethanol and glutaraldehyde, as well as alcohol followed by flaming, is discouraged given the large dispersion in corrosion response caused by the exposure to the sterilization media. 2016 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/57010 10.1149/2.0271610jes http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ The Electrochemical Society, Inc fulltext
spellingShingle Iannuzzi, Mariano
Giai, C.
Kappes, M.
Rincón-Ortiz, M.
Senko, J.
Efficacy of Sterilization Methods and Their Influence on the Electrochemical Behavior of Plain Carbon Steel
title Efficacy of Sterilization Methods and Their Influence on the Electrochemical Behavior of Plain Carbon Steel
title_full Efficacy of Sterilization Methods and Their Influence on the Electrochemical Behavior of Plain Carbon Steel
title_fullStr Efficacy of Sterilization Methods and Their Influence on the Electrochemical Behavior of Plain Carbon Steel
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy of Sterilization Methods and Their Influence on the Electrochemical Behavior of Plain Carbon Steel
title_short Efficacy of Sterilization Methods and Their Influence on the Electrochemical Behavior of Plain Carbon Steel
title_sort efficacy of sterilization methods and their influence on the electrochemical behavior of plain carbon steel
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/57010