A sterilization method wherein sterilization subjects are left sterilized in a vessel preliminarily irradiated with active oxygen so as to sterilize the objects to be sterilized, for example, after irradiating the recesses of the object having recesses with active oxygen, And sterilizing the inside of the closed space to be formed. The sterilization method of the present invention exhibits excellent bactericidal activity, for example, it is suitably used for sterilization of containers of food and beverage, caps for sealing the mouth portion of the container, medical instruments, foods and drinks such as vegetables and meat etc.活性酸素を予め照射した容器内に殺菌対象物を放置して殺菌することを特徴とする、殺菌方法、例えば、活性酸素を凹部を有する対象物の該凹部内に照射後、殺菌対象物をその上に積み重ねて前記凹部に蓋をし、形成される閉鎖空間内を殺菌することを特徴とする、殺菌方法。本発明の殺菌方法は、優れた殺菌活性を示すものであり、例えば、飲食品の容器、容器の口部を封鎖するキャップ、医療器具、野菜や肉などの飲食品等の殺菌に好適に用いられる。
