ABSTRACT
Moist-heat sterilization is achieved when water vapor (or, more generically, moist heat, i.e., a suitable combination of temperature and humidity) at a definite temperature is introduced or generated (even indirectly) at the level of the micro-organisms to be inactivated and is maintained in such conditions for a definite time. This entry provides an introduction to moist-heat sterilization kinetics, and also considers the pressurized saturated steam method, counterpressure moist-heat sterilization, and various autoclaves.
