Final answer:
In the validated process of disinfection, the correct option that does not belong is 'detergent', as disinfectants are antimicrobial chemicals like ethanol or halogens like iodine, while detergents are cleaning agents.
Step-by-step explanation:
The validated process of disinfection is intended to inactivate most microbes present on a surface, mainly through the use of antimicrobial chemicals or heat. The question asks which of the following is not included in the process of disinfection: detergent, ethanol, iodoform, or acid. The correct answer is detergent. Detergents are not typically used as disinfectants because they are cleaning agents that remove dirt and grease, but they do not necessarily kill microorganisms.
Alcohols, such as ethanol, are common disinfectants because they denature proteins and disrupt cell membranes, leading to cell death. Halogens, like iodine or its compounds (iodophors), are also effective disinfectants that oxidize cellular components and destabilize macromolecules, creating an inhospitable environment for microbes.
The effectiveness of chemical disinfectants has been compared historically to phenol. The chemical's ability to act as a standard for comparison helps determine the efficacy of other disinfectants. Substances such as alcohols, including ethanol, are superior due to their rapid action and ability to coagulate proteins. In contrast, antiseptics like iodophors (iodine complexed with an organic molecule) are suitable for use on living tissues to control microbial growth.
It is essential to understand the difference between terms such as sanitization, which implies reducing microbial presence to safe levels, and sterilization, which aims to eliminate all microbial life, including spores.