Crossword Genius

Fool is maintaining record's purity (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

asepsis

'purity' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'fool is maintaining record's' is the wordplay.
'fool' becomes 'ass' (both can mean a stupid person).
'maintaining' is an insertion indicator (inserted letters are held or maintained).
'record' becomes 'EP' (abbreviation for extended play record).
'ass'+'is'='assis'
'assis' enclosing 'ep' is 'ASEPSIS'.

(Other definitions for asepsis that I've seen before include "freedom from germs" , "Absence of viruses and other microorganisms" , "Given freedom from infection" , "germ-free state" , "exclusion of micro-organisms" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app