Re: alcohol in autoclave?

["Dr. Joseph Arditti" <jarditti@UCI.EDU>]

At 12:22 PM 13-10-05, you wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Why do you need to sterilize 70% alcohol?

Good question. It is already sterile.

> But going back to the question, I don't think the autoclave will get
> harmed since it's only a small amount.  Your alcohol, however, will not be
> 70% anymore after autoclaving since a lot of the alcohol in it will volatilize.

We used to add heat labile compounds in 70% ethanol to media after
sterilization.  I am sure that some of the alcohol evaporated on contact
with the hot solution.

> Joseph Arditti

Dr. Joseph Arditti, Professor Emeritus
University of California, Irvine, CA 92604
E-mail: jarditti@uci.edu