Natural disinfectants: A Review

Abstract

Disinfection is defined as the destruction of microorganisms, not necessarily destroy all the microbes but may reducing them to an acceptable level. Thus, it could stop the chain of bugs transmission to avoid infections. Antimicrobials are divided into antimicrobial agents and antibiotics. Disinfectants or hand sanitizers are used to prevent microbial contamination on inanimate objects that are present in the environment; consequently, avoiding of disease occurrence. While antibiotics are used for therapeutic purposes. Microbial growth is controlled by using natural, chemical and physical agents. Most investigations that are conducted in vitro showed that natural agents could inhibit or kill the growth of pathogens and its efficiency depends on their bio components. This article will focus on natural antimicrobial agents as alternatives to chemical disinfectants. Natural resources include: plants and microbes.