How does superheated steam affect the sterilization process?

Superheated steam negatively impacts the steam sterilization process. Superheated steam is steam heated above its saturation temperature at a given pressure. Unlike saturated steam, it is dry and does not readily condense. The latent heat of vaporization, released when saturated steam condenses on cooler surfaces, is a crucial component of effective steam sterilization because this process releases energy that heats and moistens the load. Because superheated steam lacks the necessary moisture and doesn't readily condense, it is less effective at transferring heat to the load and denaturing microbial proteins. Superheated steam behaves more like dry heat, which requires much higher temperatures and longer exposure times to achieve sterilization. Therefore, the presence of superheated steam can result in inadequate sterilization, even if the temperature readings within the sterilizer appear to be within the correct range for saturated steam sterilization.