Corrections to last week’s answer
What is the difference between distilled water and sterile water?
V. Barathi
Chennai
The statement “Sterile water is that which inhibits the growth of microorganisms” is incorrect. The correct statement is “Sterile water is that which is devoid of microorganisms due to the process of sterilization (autoclaving).”
If exposed or kept in unclean containers it will lose the sterile nature and will be contaminated. Similarly, distilled water would also be sterile when made but may get contaminated if collected in non sterile containers or when exposed.
No microorganisms generally survives when water is heated to steam and spores or other heat resistant forms would remain at the distilling vessel and will not come up with steam. During condensation if the condenser and collecting vessels are sterile, distilled water would also be sterile water.
The term “distilled” indicates chemical purity and the term “sterile” denotes biological purity.
PROF. G. SUBRAMANIAN
Former Head, Dept. of Microbiology
Bharathidasan University
Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu
Thank you PROF. G. SUBRAMANIAN and The Hindu editorial board for
giving corrections as early as possible. But it is also some what
difficult to digest these fundamental and technical mistakes made by
such a great daily. Ofcourse I do agree that, some errors are occur
in any article or news while prepared by human. But it is really
problem for those people who are taking granted as your (The Hindu)
article for preparing competitive exams like me ( I am preparing for
UPSC civils. And for my self The Hindu is like Geetha for current
affairs and S&T sections of my syllabus. Naturally I am expecting
from you accurate information only). It is true that, certain extend
you are satisfying my requirements. Just it is my suggestion to you
that please try to give accurate information with first publishing it
self, it will help a lot for like minded people who could not catch
subsequent correction. Once again thank you so much for giving much
needed information and corrections.
Thank you, Professor, for making this correction. I was disturbed by the errors in Dr Som Shankar's earlier "answer", but could not post a comment, because the web page that I accessed did not have a provision for comments. I couldn't make the extra effort of emailing the science editor.
To the Science editor (Dr R. Prasad), The Hindu -- I am sorry to have to remark that the number of errors in the articles in Science & Technology articles has reached an unacceptable level, especially in the Question Corner. But then, I notice that the Question Corner section is nowadays not in SciTech section. The "distilled water" - [sterile water] Q&A was in "BUSINESS" and today's Q&A is in "Health » Medicine & Research". What is the logic?
Please Email the Editor