Surface sterilization of explants commonly uses:
Surface sterilization removes epiphytic and surface-borne microorganisms from explants without killing plant tissues, essential prerequisite for establishing contaminant-free cultures. Most effective protocol uses sequential treatment with 70 percent ethanol for 30-60 seconds followed by sodium hypochlorite solution 0.5-2 percent available chlorine for 10-20 minutes containing surfactant Tween-20 0.1 percent to improve wetting. Ethanol acts as degreasing agent dissolving epicuticular waxes, disrupting microbial lipid membranes and denaturing proteins facilitating penetration of subsequent ster
Ref: Bhojwani & Dantu Plant Tissue Culture, Chap. 3 sterilization; NCBI StatPearls Aseptic Technique.