Final answer:
Autoclaving cannot be used to sterilize a heat-labile solution due to the high temperatures involved, which could damage heat-sensitive materials. Ethylene oxide sterilization, on the other hand, provides a cold sterilization alternative that is suitable for heat-labile items.
Step-by-step explanation:
An autoclave cannot be used to sterilize a heat-labile solution because the high temperatures involved in the autoclaving process would denature or damage heat-sensitive materials. Autoclaving involves using moist-heat sterilization which operates at temperatures above the boiling point of water, and is ideal for durable items such as surgical instruments but not suitable for materials that are sensitive to heat.
By contrast, ethylene oxide sterilization is a form of cold sterilization that can be safely used on heat-labile items. Ethylene oxide is a gaseous sterilant that alkyates proteins and nucleic acids, effectively killing microorganisms without the need for high temperatures.
For procedures requiring the sterilization of heat-sensitive biological and medical materials, methods like ethylene oxide sterilization, filtration, and the use of other cold sterilization chemicals would be more appropriate than autoclaving.