Media Sterilization and Stoichiometry

### **Step-by-Step Solution & Mathematical Derivation (GATE BT 2024 Q.33)** **1. Governing Concept & Definition**: - **Topic**: Bioprocess Stoichiometry & Degree of Reductance ($\gamma$) - **Degree of Reduction ($\gamma$)**: The number of equivalents of available electrons per gram-atom of carbon, relative to standard reference states (where $C = +4$, $H = +1$, $O = -2$, and $N = -3$). **2. Detailed Step-by-Step Calculation**: - **Given Compound**: Oxalic acid ($C_2H_2O_4$), containing $c = 2$, $h = 2$, $o = 4$. - **Formula for Degree of Reductance per C-atom**: $\gamma = rac{4c + h - 2o}{c}$ - **Step 1: Calculating available electrons**: $ ext{Total available electrons} = (4 imes 2) + (1 imes 2) - (2 imes 4) = 8 + 2 - 8 = 2$ - **Step 2: Normalizing per carbon atom ($c = 2$)**: $\gamma = rac{2}{2} = 1$ **3. Final Answer**: - **Calculated Value**: **1** - **Official GATE Accepted Range**: **1 to 1**