What are the techniques used in labs to maintain a completely aseptic environment?

Maintaining a completely aseptic environment in the lab is crucial in order to create appropriate controlled conditions to prevent or at least minimize contamination by unwanted microorganisms. Sterilization and sanitization are the two main techniques used in labs to maintain a completely aseptic environment. 

Sterilization 

Sterilization is effective for elimination of all types of microbial organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores, and other vegetative cells, from the culture as well as the media surface. Various sterilization techniques may be employed to effectively eliminate undesired microorganisms and contaminants. 

Some of the more common microbial sterilization techniques include:

• Filtration - involves physical separation using filters
• Heat – may use dry heat or moist heat to kill unwanted microorganisms
• Drying - a process that removes moisture and inhibits microbial growth
• Radiations – UV and gamma radiation have a damaging effect on microorganisms 
• Chemicals - alcohol, phenols, detergents, and dyes are some of the chemical used for eliminating undesired microbes

Sanitization 

Sanitization helps to entirely eradicate pathogenic and unwanted non-pathogenic microbes from surfaces to significantly minimize contamination and mitigate the risk of infections. This approach finds extensive utility in our daily lives, notably for hand sanitation. 

The techniques involved in sanitization include: 

• Alcohol-based cleaners - known for their rapid antimicrobial action
• Formaldehyde - effectively eliminates microorganisms due to its strong disinfecting properties
• Chlorine-based cleaners - release chlorine to disinfect surfaces
• Hydrogen peroxide – offers potent antimicrobial effects by releasing oxygen radicals 

Both sterilization and sanitization techniques play key roles in maintaining aseptic conditions within laboratory settings and various applications, contributing to the prevention of unwanted microbial contamination and infections.