Sterilization of solid materials by various methods and their comparative analysis

This study presents a comparative analysis of different methods for the sterilization of solid materials, including ozonation, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and barboting with a herbal alcohol extract (“Steroyl”) in carbon dioxide. The results confirm that effective sterilization can be achieved using these methods; however, their efficiency and impact on treated materials vary significantly. Complete (100%) sterilization was achieved within 48 hours using the “Steroyl” extract, while “Steroyl Medium” and “Steroyl Low” did not provide full sterility. The barboting method with “Steroyl” proved particularly effective for manuscript restoration, as it did not damage paper substrates or inks. Various materials, including manuscripts, wool, leather, wheat, packaging materials, and cardboard, were examined. Ozonation showed aggressive effects on manuscripts, dyed textiles, and wood, while UV irradiation negatively affected inks and textiles and demonstrated limited effectiveness on shaded surfaces. In contrast, treatment with “Steroyl” produced positive sterilization results across all tested materials without altering their texture or color. These findings provide a basis for further investigation of sterilization processes and support the selection of appropriate methods for different materials based on specific technological requirements and preservation goals.