What term describes substances capable of killing bacteria?

The term "bactericidal" specifically refers to substances that are effective in killing bacteria. This is a critical concept in hygiene and infection control, especially in settings like nail salons where maintaining a sanitary environment is essential to prevent infections.

Bactericidal agents work by targeting various physiological processes within bacterial cells to disrupt their functions or eliminate them. Understanding this term is important for anyone in the beauty and health fields, as it emphasizes the need for using products that can effectively manage microbial presence on tools and surfaces.

While other terms such as "virucidal" refers to agents that destroy viruses, and "fungicidal" pertains to those that kill fungi, they are focused on different types of pathogens. Bacterial spores do not pertain to substances but rather to a form of bacteria that has developed a protective shell to survive adverse conditions. Therefore, "bactericidal" is the appropriate choice when discussing substances that specifically kill bacteria.