Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
6022982 
Journal Article 
A brief history of heat and chemical preservation and disinfection 
Hugo, WB 
1991 
Yes 
Journal of Applied Bacteriology
ISSN: 0021-8847 
71 
1 
9-18 
There have been a small number of useful chemical disinfectants discovered, chlorhexidine and glutaraldehyde come to mind. Many disinfectants, however, are 150-200 years old and, let it not be forgotten, have stood the test of time--the hypochlorites (1744), phenols (1836) and solubilized phenols (1850) are in daily use. The use of heat dates from antiquity and Henry's use of a digester, to sterilize fomites, dates from 1831. In historical times Appert had published a food preservation method, using heat, in 1810. In the sterilization field advances are represented by combinations of well known methods such as formaldehyde/steam and hydrogen peroxide/u.v. light. 
bacteria; preservation; antibacterial activity; chlorhexidine; glutaraldehyde; Microbiology Abstracts A: Industrial & Applied Microbiology; Microbiology Abstracts B: Bacteriology; disinfectants; reviews; J 02803:Antiseptics and disinfectants; A 01070:Sterilization, preservation & packaging