Intricate ecosystems formed over the course of 4.5 billion years of evolution, but human activity and land use are decimating resources in a fraction of that time. Biodiversity is the cornerstone of many aspects of human life: food, water, medicine, a stable climate, and economic growth are just a few examples. More than half of global GDP is dependent on diverse ecosystems. Billions of people rely on it for their livelihoods, health, and, ultimately, their survival.

A 2024 paper in Nature Communications reports that “biodiversity declines from climate and land use change…indicate a self-reinforcing feedback loop, where higher levels of climate change lead to greater biodiversity loss, which in turn leads to greater carbon emissions and ultimately more climate change. Conversely, biodiversity conservation and restoration can help achieve climate change mitigation goals.”

The United Nations committee on Climate Action illustrates the problem in stark terms: “Nature is in crisis. Up to one million species are threatened with extinction, many within decades. Irreplaceable ecosystems like parts of the Amazon rainforest are turning from carbon sinks into carbon sources due to deforestation. And 85 percent of wetlands…have disappeared.”

Scientists researching the sharp decline in biodiversity are trying to improve conservation efforts to interrupt the cycle. They need the tools and resources to support their essential work.

Steam Sterilization in Research to Efficiently, Effectively Sterilize Soil and Growth Media

London’s Kew Gardens is the most biodiverse place on Earth. This Royal Botanic Garden and UNESCO World Heritage site employs hundreds of scientists to understand and protect biodiversity by exploring the use and potential of plants and fungi. After Kew scientists upgraded to Priorclave autoclaves to steam sterilize and reduce microorganisms and pathogens in plant-based growth medium and soil, they found that the new machines use fewer resources and are more cost effective. They also use their Priorclave autoclave to safely process waste loads prior to disposal, which prevents the harmful environmental consequences of waste incineration.

Similarly, Eden Project Cornwall uses Priorclave autoclaves to promote their efforts toward renewable energy and research on the interdependence of plants and people. The site is home to both a rainforest biome and a Mediterranean biome, where scientists investigate diverse growing conditions. They use their findings to educate the public on conservation, sustainability, and the importance of biodiversity to human and environmental health. Steam sterilization of plant-based growth media is essential to Eden Project’s research and educational goals.

The benefits of switching to Priorclave autoclaves for soil and plant-based steam sterilization extend to academia. Practicing agricultural and environmental research requires strict control of growth media and microorganism reduction. Often, sterilizing soil to these standards is a costly, inefficient process. But by choosing 450 liter Priorclave autoclaves, York University biologists have significantly reduced energy costs of sterilization processes for compost and vegetation, and have seen a whopping 90 percent reduction in water usage.

Wondering How Best to Use Autoclave Steam Sterilization for your Growth Medium and Soil Sterilization Needs? PNA Can Help

In general, switching to a non-jacketed Priorclave autoclave will greatly reduce any lab’s environmental impact through lower energy use and water consumption. Priorclave autoclaves use about 1/6th to 1/10th as much water and energy as comparable jacketed models. Additionally, a non-jacketed autoclave has a significantly lower initial purchase price, with much lower ongoing maintenance costs.

Priorclave doesn’t push a one-size-fits-all autoclave to everyone. Instead, we listen to you, understand your needs, and outfit you with an autoclave that works for you—without wasting resources.

Priorclave North America CEO Ashley Sauce is proud of PNA’s contributions to research promoting preservation and sustainability. “We are pleased to supply institutions with autoclaves that we know will allow researchers to focus on their work, while minimizing downtime. Using high-quality, low-maintenance, energy-efficient autoclaves helps labs allocate their precious resources directly to research and preservation—not to equipment maintenance.”

Have questions about how Priorclave can help support your lab’s research and conservation efforts? Reach out to us today. Our experts are ready to answer all your questions.