What process involves the removal or destruction of all microorganisms and their spores?

Sterilization is the definitive process that involves the complete removal or destruction of all microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and their spores. This process is essential in settings where a high degree of cleanliness and safety is required, such as in surgical environments, laboratories, and certain manufacturing processes. It can be achieved through methods such as autoclaving, which uses high-pressure steam, or chemical sterilants that eliminate all forms of microbial life.

Other processes listed, like disinfection, sanitization, and antisepsis, do not achieve the same level of microbial eradication. Disinfection effectively reduces the number of pathogenic microorganisms on surfaces but does not necessarily eliminate all spores. Sanitization is aimed at reducing microbial counts to safe levels, which is suitable for non-critical surfaces. Antisepsis refers to the application of antimicrobial agents to living tissues to prevent infection, which doesn’t involve the complete destruction of all microorganisms. Thus, in the context of total microbial eradication, sterilization is the correct and most comprehensive term.