∞ generated and posted on 2016.01.29 ∞
Especially chemicals that are applied to materials to reduce microorganism numbers.
Disinfectants typically are not sterilizing, generally less able to kill endospores, naked viruses, organisms that are in stationary phase, or members of such bacterial genera as Mycobacterium spp. See disinfection and contrast with sterilant.
Disinfectants that can be applied to living tissues, such as to ourselves, are called antiseptics.