Disinfectants
Disinfectants
Disinfectants (/dɪsɪnˈfɛktənts/) are antimicrobial agents that are applied to non-living objects to destroy microorganisms that are living on the objects. They are different from antibiotics, which destroy microorganisms within the body, and from antiseptics, which destroy microorganisms on living tissue. Disinfectants are also different from biocides - the latter are intended to destroy all forms of life, not just microorganisms.
Etymology
The term "disinfectant" comes from the Latin words "dis" meaning "away" and "infectare" meaning "to poison."
Types of Disinfectants
There are several types of disinfectants, including:
- Alcohol: This is used to disinfect skin and surfaces. It works by denaturing proteins and dissolving lipids, effectively killing many types of microbial cells.
- Aldehyde: This is used for high-level disinfection and sterilization. It works by cross-linking with proteins and DNA, preventing microbial reproduction.
- Phenol: This is used for low- to intermediate-level disinfection. It works by denaturing proteins and disrupting cell membranes.
- Quaternary Ammonium Compounds: These are used for low-level disinfection. They work by disrupting the cell membrane, leading to cell death.
- Hypochlorite: This is used for intermediate- to high-level disinfection. It works by oxidizing microbial proteins to kill them.
Related Terms
- Sterilization: The process of killing all forms of life, including transmissible agents such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, spore forms, etc. present on a surface.
- Sanitization: The process of reducing the number of microorganisms to a safe level.
- Antiseptic: A substance that stops or slows down the growth of microorganisms.
- Antibiotic: A drug used to treat bacterial infections.
- Biocide: A chemical substance or microorganism which can deter, render harmless, or exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Disinfectants
- Wikipedia's article - Disinfectants
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