ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The risk concerning the presence of non-condensable gases (NCGs) has already been demonstrated, but routine monitoring still requires further research to be implemented in each sterilization cycle. AIM: Performance evaluation of the physical, chemical and biological indicators used in monitoring in comparison with a sterilizer integrated detector for NCG in the Sterilization Process. METHODS: Chemical indicators (type 2 Bowie-Dick test, type 5 and type 6 models), self-contained biological indicators and physical indicators (temperature, pressure, thermal qualification and a patented integrated air detector) were used to monitor the steam sterilization process in two situations of controlled failure: chamber leakage and door seal failure. This controlled failure was obtained by the presence of a known amount of air: 0-30 L/min for chamber leakage and 0-30% for the door seal failure. Evaluation tests were carried out with and without the use of process challenge devices (PCDs). FINDINGS: In both studies, the Bowie-Dick Test showed different results, according to the manufacturer. The biological, physical or chemical indicators without a PCD were unable to detect small volumes of NCGs in both simulations. CONCLUSION: The integrated air detector can be considered an option for the detection of NCGs in each cycle.
Subject(s)
Durable Medical Equipment , Gases , Sterilization/instrumentation , Hot Temperature , SteamABSTRACT
The increasing disposal of medicines into the environment has increased concern about the possible environmental impact of such actions, in both the medium and long term. Estrogens have been found in soil, surface water and groundwater. The aim of this study was to assess the ecotoxicity of chemical residues originating from in situ oxidation of 17β estradiol with hydrogen peroxide, a process of chemical remediation which is used to remove these hormones in acetone solution, at various pHs. Analyses were carried out by high resolution gas chromatography and a bioassay in which the single-cell species Euglena gracilis was the test organism. The results were obtained by comparing analyses done before and after the AOP (advanced oxidation process). It was observed that at pH 5.0, with a treatment time of 20 minutes, there was a good yield, but with some change in the behavior of the test organism. With a pH of 7.0, with 20 minutes time, the yield was low but there was no demonstration of ecotoxicological activity...
Com o crescente descarte de medicamentos no meio ambiente, observa-se o aumento da preocupação com o impacto ambiental que tal ação pode acarretar, tanto a médio como em longo prazo. Os estrogênios vêm sendo encontrados no solo, em águas superficiais e subterrâneas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a ecotoxicidade dos resíduos químicos originados a partir da oxidação do 17? estradiol, via peróxido de hidrogênio, em um processo destinado à remoção química destes hormônios em solução de acetona, e em diferentes pHs. As análises foram feitas utilizando cromatografia gasosa de alta resolução e bioteste com algas do gênero Euglenas gracillis. Os resultados foram baseados nas comparações de análises pré-processo oxidativo avançado (POA) e pós POA. Observou-se que os resultados obtidos na condição de pH 5,0, com tempo de 20 minutos, apresentou um bom rendimento, porém com mudança de comportamento dos bioindicadores. Em pH 7,0, com tempo de 20 minutos, o rendimento foi menor, porém não houve demonstração de atividade ecotoxicológica...
Subject(s)
Humans , Estradiol/toxicity , Hydrogen Peroxide/analysis , Chromatography, Gas , Environmental PollutionABSTRACT
A method for the determination of glucose-fructose oxidoreductase (GFOR) activity in whole cells of Zymomonas mobilis is described. The K m and the theoretical V max for GFOR were 192 g glucose.l(-1) and 17 g gluconic acid.g(-1) cell.h(-1), respectively. The changes in enthalpy (31.1 kJ.mol(-1)), entropy (0.41 kJ.K(-1)), and Gibbs free energy (-97.5 kJ.mol(-1)) related to glucose to gluconic acid conversion were also determined.
