Final answer:
The eight chemical subcategories used in sterilization and disinfection processes are Alcohols, Aldehydes, Phenols, Chlorine Compounds, Iodine Compounds, Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Peracetic Acid.
Step-by-step explanation:
The eight subcategories of chemicals that are commonly employed in the sterilization and disinfection process are: Alcohols, aldehydes, phenols, chlorine compounds, iodine compounds, quaternary ammonium compounds, hydrogen peroxide, and peracetic acid. These chemicals are used to reduce or eliminate microbial populations on surfaces and tissues, with variations in their effectiveness depending on the type of microbe targeted, concentration, exposure time, temperature, and other factors.
For example, alcohols like ethanol and isopropyl alcohol work by denaturing proteins and disrupting membranes, leading to cell lysis. Aldehydes such as formaldehyde act as alkylating agents, replacing a hydrogen atom within a molecule with an alkyl group, thus inactivating enzymes and nucleic acids. Phenols are used as a standard to compare the effectiveness of other disinfectants and have known antibacterial properties. Chlorine compounds, including chloramines and chlorine dioxide, are especially used for water disinfection. Iodine compounds act by oxidizing cellular components, and quaternary ammonium compounds are effective against a broad range of microbes. Hydrogen peroxide works by producing free radicals that damage cellular components, and peracetic acid is a potent oxidizing agent capable of sterilizing surfaces and equipment.