The standard autoclaving cycle used for routine sterilization in the laboratory operates at:

• A 100 degrees C at 15 psi for 20 minutes
• B 160 degrees C at atmospheric pressure for 2 hours
• C 134 degrees C at 30 psi for 3 minutes
• D 121 degrees C at 15 psi for 15 minutes ✓

Explanation

Moist heat at 121 degrees C under 15 pounds per square inch steam pressure held for 15 minutes is the reference autoclave cycle and kills even bacterial spores. Option B describes the hot air oven, which uses dry heat at higher temperature and longer time. Pressure alone without saturated steam does not achieve this lethality, which is why option A fails despite the pressure stated.

Reference: Ananthanarayan and Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology, 11th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.