Sterilization in microbiology refers to any process that removes, kills, or deactivates all forms of life, particularly microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, spores, and unicellular eukaryotic organisms, and other biological agents such as prions present in or on a specific surface, object, or fluid). Sterilization can be achieved through various means, including heat, chemicals, irradiation, high pressure, and filtration. Sterilization is distinct from disinfection, sanitization, and pasteurization, in that those methods reduce rather than eliminate all forms of life and biological agents present).

The aim of sterilization is the reduction of initially present microorganisms or other potential pathogens. The degree of sterilization is commonly expressed by multiples of the decimal reduction time, or D-value, denoting the time needed to reduce the initial number to one tenth (1/10) of its original value). After sterilization, an object is referred to as being sterile or aseptic).

There are different methods of sterilization in microbiology, including physical and chemical methods. Physical methods of sterilization include heat sterilization, radiation sterilization, and filtration sterilization, while chemical methods include gas sterilization and liquid sterilization. The choice of method depends on the type of material to be sterilized, the degree of sterilization required, and the potential for damage to the material.

In summary, sterilization in microbiology is the complete removal of all forms of microorganisms from a surface or an object. It is achieved through various means, including heat, chemicals, irradiation, high pressure, and filtration. Sterilization is distinct from disinfection, sanitization, and pasteurization, and the choice of method depends on the type of material to be sterilized and the degree of sterilization required.