Inhibition and killing of micro organisms
Definition of terms
Sterilization
This is the process by which all living cell, viable spres, viruses and viroids are either destroyed or removed from an object or habitat. A sterile object is totally free of viable micro-organisms, spores and other infectious agent. It can be physical, chemical or physio-chemial.
Disinfection
This is the killing, inhibition or removal of micreo-organism that may cause disease. The primary goal is to destroy potential pathogens and also reduces the total microbial population.
Disinfectant
These are agents, usually chemical used to carry out disinfection and are normally used only on inanimate object. A disinfectant does not sterilize and object because spores and a few micro-organism may remain.
Sanitization
This is closely related to disinfection. In sanitization, the microbial population is reduced to levels that are considered safe by public health standard. The inanimate object is usually cleared as well partially disinfectors. For example, sanitizers are used to clean the kitchen utensils in the restaurant.
Antiseptics
These are chemical agents applied to tissues to prevent infections by killing or inhibition pathogen growth. They also reduce the total microbial population.
Properties of antiseptic or disinfectant
