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
