Question

Describe FOUR factors that may have an influence on the effectiveness of an antimicrobial treatment using various microbial control methods.

Answer 1

There are a number of factors that may influence the effectiveness of microbial treatment:

1. The first is the number of microbes. The more the number of microbe cells the more time needed to kill them

2. The environmental influence like nature of environment, temperature and pH.An organic environment often inhibits the action of chemical agents used to kill microbes.

3. Time of exposure: The time of exposure depends on the spores. The the microbe spore is resistant the chemical agent may take longer to react. When heat is used to kill microbes the lesser the temperature the longer it takes to kill microbes.

4. Microbial characteristic: Effectiveness of treatment depends on the characteristics of the microbes.The nature of the microbial genes can inhibit treatment. If there is a protective layer/structure like a capsule or hard outer membrane, it prevents treatment. Also bioflims prevent penetration of chemical and heat.

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