SOP for Cleaning of Glassware Used for Microbiological Testing

1.0 OBJECTIVE

To lay down a Procedure for providing guidelines for Cleaning of Glassware for Microbiological testing.

2.0 SCOPE

This procedure is applicable for cleaning of all Glassware, which is used for Microbiological analysis in Microbiology Laboratory of Quality Control Department

3.0 RESPONSIBILITY

Microbiologist

4.0 ACCOUNTABILITY

Head -QA & QC

5.0 PROCEDURE

5.1 Tubes

5.1.1 Empty the contents and wash with tap water.
5.1.2 Immerse the tubes in a tub containing 1%v/v (1 ml in 100 ml) soap solution for 30 minutes.
5.1.3 Remove the tubes, wash with tap water.
5.1.4 Finally rinse with freshly collected distilled water.
5.1.5 Dry the tubes in drying oven at 160°C for 2 hrs.

5.2 Petri plates

5.2.1 Remove the media from the petri plates.
5.2.2 Immerse the plates in a tub containing 1%v/v (1 ml in 100 ml) soap solution for 30 minutes.
5.2.3 Wash the petri plates with plenty of water. Rinse with freshly collected distilled water.
5.2.4 Sterilize the petri plates as per SOP for sterilization of glassware.
5.2.5 Store the sterilized petri plates in microbiology section.

5.3 Pipettes

5.3.1 Wash with tap water and immerse them in 1%v/v soap solution for 30 minutes.
5.3.2 Wash each pipette first with tap water and then with hot water till all traces of soap are removed.
5.3.3 Finally rinse with freshly collected distilled water.
5.3.4 Dry the pipettes as per SOP.
5.3.5 Store the pipettes in a stainless steel container in microbiology section.

5.4 Flasks for media preparation

5.4.1 Wash with tap water and then treat with 1% v/v soap solution, and keep for 30 minutes.
5.4.2 Wash with tap water.
5.4.3 Finally rinse with freshly collected distilled water.
5.4.4 Dry at 60°C for 1 hrs.

5.5 Dropper pipettes and centrifuge tubes

5.5.1 Wash with water and then immerse them in 1% v/v soap solution for 30 minutes.
5.5.2 Wash well with tap water and then with hot water.
5.5.3 Finally rinse with freshly collected distilled water.
5.5.4 Dry at 60°C for 1 hour. Centrifuge tubes are treated the same way as dropper pipettes except that the centrifuge tubes are plugged with cotton and sterilized at 121°C at 15 psi for 20 min.

5.6 Test tubes for culture maintain

5.6.1 Autoclave the tubes at 121ºC, 15 lbs, pressure for 30 minutes, discard the liquid medium immediately after opening the autoclave.
5.6.2 Wash with tap water. Soak them in 1% v/v soap solution for 30 minutes.
5.6.3 Wash with tap water and then with hot water.
5.6.4 Final rinse with freshly collected distilled water.
5.6.5 Dry at 60°C for 1 hour. Store them in closed boxes.

6.0 ABBREVIATIONS

SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
QA: Quality Assurance
QC: Quality Control
SS: Stainless Steel

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