noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
sterile; germ-free; aseptic
Describes an environment, product, or condition free from microorganisms. Used in medicine, food processing, and biology.
手術室は無菌状態に保たれている。
The operating room is kept in a sterile condition.
They sterilize the operating room before starting the surgery.
この牛乳は無菌パックで販売されている。
This milk is sold in aseptic packaging.
The culture medium must be kept in a sterile condition.
殺菌 refers to the act of killing germs, whereas 無菌 describes the resulting state of being germ-free.
滅菌 is the stronger medical term for complete sterilization (an action), while 無菌 denotes the germ-free state itself.
Compound of 無 (mu, 'without') and 菌 (kin, 'germ/bacteria'). The reading is on'yomi.