Biological indicators for steam disinfection according to DIN 58949 are test systems containing viable microorganisms exhibiting a defined resistance to specific methods of disinfection.
Biological indicators according to DIN 58949 depict the direct result of the disinfection process and not just a reference parameter.
Therefore, in the evaluation of the germ-killing efficacy of low temperature methods with saturated steam, biological testing is in the individual case superior to physical measurement and overall indispensable.
Biological indicators are being used in the realm of validation and routine monitoring of all general disinfection methods, especially due to their capacity to detect superheated steam.