JG 111 Autoclave Protocols
ONLY Plant Growth Facility staff may operate the autoclave. ONLY waste generated in the facility may be autoclaved here. Leave facility waste to be autoclaved by the autoclave and inform staff immediately.
- Operation
- The autoclave uses high pressure and high temperature steam to effectively kill microorganisms or render a bio hazardous material inactive.
- Items to be autoclaved:
- Transgenic plants or seeds potentially pollinated by transgenic plants
- All Arabidopsis plants, material, and soil after labs harvest the seed
- Material swept in greenhouse and growth chambers
- USDA regulated plant material
- What we cannot autoclave:
- Never put volatile chemicals or solvents (alcohols, chloroform), or corrosive chemicals (bleach, acetic acid, formalin, fixed tissues etc.), or radioactive materials in any autoclave
- Lab waste or any other materials not directly associated with our facility. This is not a communal autoclave. Use departmental autoclaves for these uses.
- Procedure:
- Items should be placed in an autoclave bag that is sealed to prevent spills or an autoclave tub.
- Items should not be packed too tightly to ensure thorough sterilization. Do not place items directly on the autoclave floor, the cart should be used instead.
- All cycles operate at 20 psi and 122.5 C. Autoclave cycles:
- Cycle #1: 75 minute sterilization. For general use
- Cycle #2: 30 minute sterilization, 10 minute dry.
- Cycle #3: Changes per need
- Cycle #4: 35 minute sterilization (for liquids)
- Autoclaved items will be placed in the dumpster between Rebstock and Mallinckrodt.
- Documentation
- Record autoclave use with date, time, lab and user, cycle number, and material autoclaved.
- When autoclaving regulated plant material, record the date, user, permit number, and material autoclaved on the USDA sheet.
- Safety
- Authorized Plant Growth Facility staff to use the autoclave only. Trained greenhouse personnel are the only allowed users of the autoclave.
- Ensure no container is completely sealed as it poses an explosion risk.
- Tightly tied autoclave bags should have small holes punched in them.
- Turn autoclave lock until the door is secured before use.
- Burn hazard: always wear autoclave gloves and close-toes shoes. Open door slowly when using.
- Always run vent fan when autoclave is in use.
- Do not handle autoclaved items until cool.
- Tests
- Autoclave spore tests are run periodically.
- Maintenance
- Autoclave is covered by a service agreement and is certified each year by MTC to guarantee reliability.
- Contact Todd at 314-304-4626 for maintenance or service requests.