Re-estimation of gamma irradiation sterilizing dose of locally produced gloves

ABSTRACT

This work aimed to re-estimate the value of sterilizing dose of the locally produced gloves. Also, the scope of this work was limited by isolation, purification and identification of bacterial flora of gloves locally manufactured in Egypt. The bacterial flora of the locally produced gloves were found to be sporeforming bacteria, mainly Bacillus firmus, B. alvei, B. subtilis, B. circulans and B. pantothenticus. These isolates were resistant to radiation and thermal treatment. The D10- value for the isolated strains was estimated in the range of 2.7 to 3.2 kGy. The most radioresistant isolate was B. circulans with D10 value 3.2 kGy when the cells were irradiated in a form of dry test pieces [108 colony forming units]. When B. circulans 108 colony forming units] were used to deliberately contaminate the gloves materials, D10- value was 1.8 kGy. In order to confirm these results standard strain B. pumilus E601 was used instead of B. circulans. The D10-value of B. pumilus was determined to be 3.2 and 2.5 kGy under the previously mentioned conditions respectively. The results indicated that the sensitivity of the isolated and the reference strains increased when the gloves materials were used as a substrate during the process of irradiation. Accordingly, it was proved that the material of the substrate affects the value of the sterilizing dose