Antimicrobials generally refer to drugs used to control microorganisms in living tissue. It differs from chemicals (disinfectants, sanitizers, etc.) commonly used for microbial control on inanimate objects.

1. Sterilization

Sterilization is to kill all propagules and spores of all microorganisms on objects, including pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria. There are many methods of sterilization, mainly physical and chemical. There are high temperature and high pressure sterilization and chemical sterilization.

2. Disinfection

The method of killing pathogenic microorganisms on objects may not necessarily kill bacteria containing spores or non-pathogenic microorganisms.

3. Sterilization

Sterilization has the effect of killing microbial vegetative bodies and propagules. Agents used to kill and inhibit the growth of microorganisms are called biocides. The "sterilization" in fungicides does not necessarily need to kill microorganisms. Most fungicides only have the effect of inhibiting the growth and reproduction of microorganisms; the effect depends on the concentration of the fungicide and the sterilization time.

4. Bacteriostasis

Preventing or inhibiting the growth and reproduction of microorganisms is called bacteriostasis, and the drugs used for bacteriostasis are called bacteriostatic agents.

5. Antibacterial properties

The ability to inhibit bacterial reproduction or kill bacteria. In the past, antibacterial refers to the disinfection of living tissue surfaces, that is, living skin and mucous membranes. Now, the definition of an antibiotic has been broadened. The process of killing bacteria or hindering the growth and reproduction of bacteria by chemical or physical methods, and inhibiting their activity is called "antibacterial", especially when disinfection or antibacterial cannot be distinguished, the effect on microorganisms is called antibacterial. For example, antimicrobial treatment of textiles refers to treatments used to inhibit the reproduction of bacteria on textiles.

Antimicrobials generally refer to drugs used to control microorganisms in living tissue. It differs from chemicals (disinfectants, sanitizers, etc.) commonly used for microbial control on inanimate objects. Antibacterial agents have the characteristics of low irritation, low concentration, low toxicity, mild action, etc., and will not cause allergic reactions. The main difference between it and disinfectants is that antibacterial agents are mainly used to inhibit or hinder the growth and reproduction of bacteria, inhibit their activity, have a certain killing effect, and are mostly used on the surface of living tissues; disinfectants are mainly used to remove or kill inactive bacteria. Pathogenic microorganisms on the surface of objects to meet the requirements of disinfection or sterilization. Antifungal agent refers to a treatment method that kills or removes or inhibits microorganisms in inanimate organic matter to prevent it from spoiling.