| abstract |
A sterilization indicator for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure comprises a source of an enzyme, a sterilant-resistant chemical associated with the enzyme, and a substrate that reacts with the enzyme to form a detectable enzyme-modified product that provides an indication of the failure of the sterilization procedure. The sterilant-resistant chemical may be a polyglycerol alkyl ester, polyglycerol alkyl ether, an ethoxylated polyhydric alcohol ester, or a polyhydric alcohol ether. The indicator may be used to test the effectiveness of a hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization procedure and may be provided with a non-challenge test pack or a lumen-challenge test pack. |