Disinfectants

In our lab, we perform a test to determine the effectiveness of various disinfectants. This test is similar to the Kirby-Bauer test for antimicrobial susceptibility.  We streak a nutrient agar plate for confluent growth and then apply to the plate sterile paper disks that we have soaked in a disinfectant. 10% bleach, 100% bleach, 10% Lysol, 100% Lysol, Listerine, isopropyl alcohol, tea tree oil, green soap, peppermint oil, and alcohol foam will be included among the disinfectants you can choose from. After incubation, zones of inhibition will be apparent around the disinfectants that are effective against the organism that has grown on the plate.

The testing protocol is here.