BISC300 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Superheated Steam, Biocide, D-Value (Microbiology)
27 Nov 2016
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In general, any chemical, physical, or biological product that controls microorganisms is referred to as an antimicrobial agent. Not all agents are chemical; antimicrobial agents can be chemical. When sterilization is achieved by a chemical agent, the chem is called a sterilant. Disinfection is the killing, inhibition, or removal of microorganisms that may cause disease; disinfection is the substantial reduction of the total microbial population and the destruction of potential pathogens. Disinfectants are agents, usually chemical used to carry out disinfection and normally used only on inanimate objects. A disi(cid:374)fe(cid:272)ta(cid:374)t does(cid:374)"t (cid:374)e(cid:272)essaril(cid:455) sterilize a(cid:374) o(cid:271)je(cid:272)t (cid:271)e(cid:272)ause (cid:448)ia(cid:271)le spores and a few microorganisms may remain. Sanitization is closely related to disinfectant; in sanitation, the microbial population is reduced to levels that are considered safe by public health standards. The inanimate object is usually cleaned as well as partially disinfected: antisepsis is the destruction or inhibition if microorganisms in living tissue; it is the prevention of infection or sepsis.
