Typically, a liquid agent that is applied to surfaces of objects for the purpose of destroying or inhibiting disease‐producing microorganisms or other harmful substances.
An agent that prevents the spread of infection, bacteria or communicable disease.
An agent that disinfects; applied particularly to agents used on inanimate objects.
Generally a chemical used to kill vegetative microorganisms.
An antimicrobial agent used to kill infectious, disease-causing organisms.
A substance that destroys vegetative cells of microorganisms but not spores in a specified time period, disinfection.
A substance used to kill microorganisms on the surface of something.
An antiseptic of value for treating inanimate infected material, but too irritant for clinical use. The most common disinfectants are phenols, halogens, strong oxidizing or reducing agents, soaps and detergents.
An agent that destroys disease-causing organisms and their products.
Agents that destroy disease-carrying microorganisms. Disinfectants include heat, radiation, and chemicals, which may destroy, neutralize, or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Disinfectants are used primarily on solid objects, such as food-preparation equipment and kitchen countertops.
An agent that destroys or removes bacteria and other microorganisms and is used to cleanse surgical instruments and other objects. Examples are cresol, hexachlorophene, and phenol. Dilute solutions of some disinfectants may be used as antiseptics or as preservatives in solutions of eye drops or injections.
Substances that destroy micro-organisms, thus preventing them from causing infections. The name is usually applied to powerful chemicals that are also capable of destroying tissue and so are used only to sterilise inanimate surfaces. antiseptics are used to cleanse living tissues.
A substance that prevents, infection by killing bacteria. Most disinfectants are used on equipment or surfaces rather than in or on the body. Common disinfectants are halogens; salts of heavy metals; organic compounds such as formaldehyde, or alcohol 70%, iodoform, hydrogen peroxide, or ethylene oxide. The term is usually applied to a chemical or physical agent that kills vegetative forms of microorganisms.
Chemical products that destroy all bacteria, fungi, and viruses (but not spores) on surfaces.
A substance or agent that liberates an organism from infection by obliterating parasites that have taken root within flora. It is advisable to steer clear of this nomenclature in the realm of plant pathology, as it could lead to ambiguity with its customary application concerning the annihilation of bacteria and similar pathogens present on animate or inanimate objects, regardless of the presence of an infection.
Antimicrobials are substances that have the ability to kill microorganisms, effectively preventing infections. This term is commonly used to describe potent chemicals employed for decontaminating objects, including various medical equipment items.