Gamma radiation sterilization uses Cobalt-60 or Cesium-137 sources to emit gamma rays that penetrate materials to destroy microorganisms. It is commonly used to sterilize medical devices, pharmaceuticals, tissues, and foods. The effectiveness depends on factors like dose level and microbial load. A dose of 25 kGy is typically used for sterilization of medical devices to achieve a sterility assurance level of 10-6. Gamma radiation sterilization provides advantages like deep penetration and reliability but can cause undesirable changes to heat-sensitive products. It is widely applied to sterilize items like syringes, sutures, and thermolabile medications.

2. 5/1/2014
Smt.Kashibai Navale College Of
Pharmacy,Kondhawa,pune. 2
GAMMA RAYS STERILIZATION
Presented By Guided By
Sagar G. Lingot Dr. G. V. Patil mam
M. PHARM (SEM– I) H.O.D
DEPT. OF PHARMACEUTICS DEPT. OF PHARMACEUTICS

3.  History
 Definition
 Method of sterilization
 Source of gamma rays
 General aspects of gamma rays
 Effect of gamma rays: on living organism
on human tissue grafts
on food
on medical devices
 Sterilization dose
 Conclusion
 Advantage and disadvantage
 Application

4. STERIS has provided gamma sterilization
services since 1972. However, the history of gamma
irradiation dates back as far as 1895.
 Gamma Radiation: Timeline of Events
 1895 W.C. Roentgen discovers X-rays
 1896 A.H. Becquerel observes radiation emitted
form uranium
 1897 J. Thompson discovers the electron
 1898 Marie & Pierre Curie discover several
radioactive elements and first use the terms
“radioactive” and “radio activity”
 1963 The first gamma irradiator in the US was
installed in New Jersey for the processing of medical
device

5. Sterilization is defined as any
process that effectively kills or eliminates
almost all microorganisms like fungi,
bacteria, viruses, spore forms.
There are many different sterilization
methods depending on the purpose of the
sterilization and the material that will be
sterilized.

6. A) Physical Methods
1) Dry heat sterilization
2) Moist heat sterilization
3) Radiation sterilization
a) use of UV rays
b) Ionizing radiation ( X-rays and Gamma rays)
B) Chemical Methods
1) Sterilization by heating with bactericide
2) Gaseous sterilization
c) Mechanical Methods
1) Ceramic filter
2) seitz filter
3) sintered glass filter
4) sintered metal filter
5) Membrane filter

8. Gamma radiation sterilization are
mainly used for the sterilization of
pharmaceuticals. Gamma radiation delivers a
certain dose that can take time for a period of
time from minutes to hours depending on the
thickness and the volume of the product.
gamma sterilization requires time,
contact and temperature. The effectiveness of
any method of sterilization is also dependent
upon four other factors like the type of
microorganism present. Some microorganisms
are very difficult to kill. Others die easily the
number of microorganisms present.

9.  Gamma rays are formed with the self
disintegration of Cobalt-60 (60Co) or
Cesium-137 (137Cs) sources. Among
thousands of gamma emitters only 137Cs and
60Co are indicated for radiation processing.
The energy of gamma rays, as
electromagnetic quantum waves, is similar to
light, but with higher photon energy and
shorter wavelength. The 60Co radionuclide
can be produced in a nuclear power reactor
by the irradiation of 59Co
(metal), with fast neutrons. The radioactive
isotope is formed by neutron capture as
showed equation (Laughlin, 1989).
27Co59+ 0n1→27Co60

10. 
Dynamitron
Processing Method
for the production
of electron, which is
useful for gamma
radiation

11. Gamma irradiation is a
physical means of decontamination,
because it kills bacteria by breaking
down bacterial DNA, inhibiting bacterial
division. Energy of gamma rays passes
through hive equipment, disrupting the
pathogens that cause contamination.
These photon-induced changes at the
molecular level cause the death of
contaminating organisms or render
such organisms incapable of
reproduction.
The gamma irradiation
process does not create residuals or
impart radioactivity in the processed
hive equipment. Complete penetration
can be achieved depending on the
thickness of the material. It supplies
energy saving and it needs no chemical
or heat dependence.

12. The most important
physiological and
environmental parameters are
temperature, moisture content
and oxygen concentration.
Radiolytic products
of water are mainly formed by
indirect action on water
molecules yielding radicals
OH. , e- aq and H.. The action
of the hydroxyl radical (OH.)
must be responsible for an
important part of the indirect
effects. Drying or freezing of
living organisms can reduce
these indirect effects. If we
consider pure water, each 100
eV of energy absorbed will
generate: 2.7 radicals OH., 2.6
e- aq, 0.6 radicals H., 0.45 H2
molecules and 0.7 molecules
H2O2.

14. Connective tissue
allograft , such as bone,
cartilage, tendons, ligaments,
Dura mater, skin , amnion,
pericardium, heart valves and
corneas, are widely used for
reconstructive surgery in many
clinical disciplines, including
orthopedics , Traumatology,
neurosurgery,
cardio surgery , plastic
surgery, laryngology and
ophthalmology.

15. Food sterilization by gamma
irradiation is the process of exposing food to
ionizing radiation to destroy
microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, or insects
that might be present in the food.
Irradiated food does not become radioactive,
but in some cases there may be some
chemical changes.

16. Type of food Effect of Radiation
Meat, poultry Destroys pathogenic fish
organisms, such as
Salmonella, Campylobacter and
Trichinae
Perishable foods Delays spoilage; retards mold
growth;
reduces number of
microorganisms
Grain, fruit Controls insect vegetables,
infestation
dehydrated fruit, spices and
seasonings and
reduces rehydration time
Onions, carrots, potatoes, garlic, ginger Inhibits sprouting
Bananas, mangos, papayas, guavas, other
non-citrus fruits
Delays ripening avocados, natural
juices

17. Ionizing radiation not only
kills microorganisms but also affects
material properties. Medical devices
are made of many different materials,
some of which are metals, but most
are non-metals, such as formed
polymers, composite structures and
even ceramics. Radiation itself does
not directly affect metals since
sterilization energies are safely below
any activation thresholds.
Metals, such as those used
in orthopedic implants, are virtually
unchanged by the radiation
sterilization process.
.

18. Survival fraction of the
microorganisms is reversely proportional with the
absorbed dose. Doses for sterilization should be
chosen according to the initial bio burden, sterility
assurance level (SAL) and the radio sensitivity of
microorganisms. A sterility assurance level (SAL) is
derived mathematically and it defines the probability
of a viable microorganism being present on an
individual product unit after sterilization.
SAL is normally expressed as 10−n. SAL is
generally set at the level of 10−6 microorganisms/ml
or g for the inject able pharmaceuticals, ophthalmic
ointment and ophthalmic drops and is 10-3 for some
products like gloves that are used in the aseptic
conditions.

19. Advantage
 gamma rays have a high penetration power
so materials can be sterilized after filling them in
the final container
 The method is suitable for all types of material
such as dry, moist and frozen
 The method is reliable and can be accurately
controlled
 Some bacterial and viral vaccines can be
sterilized because the exposure time is very short
Disadvantage
 The radiation are harmful to workers
 It produce undesirable changes in many
medicament such as colour , solubility and
texture of the product

20.  The method is mainly used for sterilization of
plastic syringes, hypodermic needles,
scalpels, surgical blades and adhesive
dressings.
 It is also used for sterilization of bone and
tissue transplant, plastic tubing , catheteres
and sutures.
 It is used for sterilization of thermolabile
medicaments.

21.  Remington, volume I, page no. 772
 Sterilization by gamma radiation
by silva aquino, Brazil
 The study of the sterilization efffect of
gamma ray irradiation of immobilized
collagen polpropylene nonwoven fabric
surfaces
Yung-chang tyan, chung univercity
 International organization of standardization
(1995),volume second