Which method is most appropriate for sterilizing liquid media containing heat-sensitive growth factors?

• A. Filtration using a membrane filter
• B. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation
• C. Dry heat sterilization at 160°C for 2 hours
• D. Autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the goal: sterilize liquid media that contains heat-sensitive growth factors without damaging them.
2. Evaluate each method's suitability: Dry heat sterilization and autoclaving involve high temperatures that can denature or destroy heat-sensitive components.
3. Consider UV radiation: while it can sterilize surfaces and some liquids, it has limited penetration and may not effectively sterilize the entire volume of liquid media.
4. Focus on filtration: membrane filtration physically removes microorganisms without applying heat, preserving heat-sensitive growth factors.
5. Conclude that filtration using a membrane filter is the most appropriate method for sterilizing heat-sensitive liquid media.