Chemical Means of Disinfecting

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to chemical means of disinfecting and controlling microbial growth.

Disinfectant

A chemical substance used to kill or inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms.

Use-dilution test

A method to evaluate the effectiveness of disinfectants by determining the maximum dilution that remains effective against bacteria.

Zone of inhibition

The area surrounding a disinfectant disk on an agar plate where bacteria cannot grow, indicating the effectiveness of the disinfectant.

Phenol

A carbolic acid used historically as a disinfectant, though less common today due to irritation issues.

Phenolic compounds

Derivatives of phenol that are modified to reduce irritation and are effective disinfectants, such as O-phenylphenol.

Bisphenols

Compounds formed by joining two phenols, often with antimicrobial properties, used in products like antibacterial soaps.

Biguanides

Antimicrobial agents that disrupt the plasma membrane, commonly used in pre-surgical scrubs.

Halogens

Elements like chlorine and iodine used in disinfectants for their antimicrobial properties.

Aldehydes

Strong antimicrobials that can denature proteins, commonly used for sterilizing instruments and preserving tissue.

Oligodynamic action

The antimicrobial effect exerted by trace amounts of heavy metals on bacteria.

Disk diffusion test

A laboratory method to evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotics or disinfectants by measuring the inhibition zone around a disk impregnated with a substance.

Iodophore

A complex of iodine and a solubilizing agent, used as a disinfectant and antiseptic that releases iodine slowly.

Tincture

of iodine in alcohol, used as a topical antiseptic that provides rapid disinfection and reduces infection risk.

Hexachlorophene

An antibacterial agent commonly used in soaps and disinfectants, effective against gram-positive bacteria and often used in hospital settings.

Triclosan

An antibacterial and antifungal agent used in various consumer products like soaps, hand sanitizers, and toothpaste, effective in reducing or preventing bacterial contamination.

Avagard

A disinfectant and antiseptic solution, typically used for hand hygiene in healthcare settings, such as a pre surgical scrub

Chlorahexadine

An antiseptic used for skin disinfection before surgery and the insertion of devices, effective against bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Isopropanol and ethanol

are common alcohol-based disinfectants effective in killing a wide range of microorganisms, often used in hand sanitizers and surface disinfectants.

Copper, silver and mercury

are metals known for their antimicrobial properties, often utilized in various disinfecting applications due to their ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria and other pathogens.

Acid-anionic sanitzers

are a class of disinfectants that combine acidic and anionic ingredients, effective against bacteria and viruses, often used in food processing and sanitation.

Quaternary ammonium

compounds are a group of disinfectants known for their effectiveness against a variety of pathogens. They are commonly used in healthcare settings and various cleaning products due to their low toxicity and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.

Quats

are a subset of quaternary ammonium compounds known for their antimicrobial properties, often used for enzyme inhibition, protein denaturing, and disruption of the plasma membrane

Sodium benzoate, sorbic acid, calcium propionate

are commonly used preservatives in food products, effective in inhibiting the growth of mold, yeast, and some bacteria.

Sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite

are chemical compounds used as preservatives in cured meats and other food products, effective in preventing the growth of harmful bacteria and enhancing flavor; blocks the growth of clostridium botulinum

Gas sterilizing

toxic gases used for sterilizing heat-sensitive materials, with prolonged exposure time

Plasma sterilization

process that uses electrically excited gas to sterilize instruments, effective but expensive

Peroxygens

oxidizing agents like hydrogen peroxide that sterilize inanimate objects but can hinder wound healing

Prions

infectious proteins that cause neurodegenerative diseases and are resistant to standard sterilization methods; often through incineration

Microbial resistance hierarchy

a ranking system of organisms based on their resistance to antimicrobial agents, with prions being the most resistant

are chemical compounds used as preservatives in cured meats and other food products, effective in preventing the growth of harmful bacteria and enhancing flavor; blocks the growth of Clostridium botulinum.

Sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite

The antimicrobial effect exerted by trace amounts of heavy metals on bacteria is known as .

Oligodynamic action

are derivatives of phenol that are modified to reduce irritation and are effective disinfectants.

Phenolic compounds

are infectious proteins that cause neurodegenerative diseases and are resistant to standard sterilization methods.

Prions

is an antibacterial and antifungal agent used in various consumer products like soaps, hand sanitizers, and toothpaste, effective in reducing or preventing bacterial contamination.

Triclosan