Dictionary > Phenol coefficient

Phenol coefficient

Phenol coefficient definition

Phenol coefficient
n.,
[ˈfinəl ˌkəʊ.ɪˈfɪʃn̩t]
Definition: a measure of the disinfecting power of a substance

Chemical disinfectants are categorized based on the power of their disinfection for microbes and viruses. Strong disinfectants can kill fungi, vegetative cells, endospores, and pathogens. Extended use of disinfectants can result in sterilization. Intermediate-level disinfectants are less effective against certain viruses and endospores. Low-level disinfectants are ineffective against endospores and can kill some enveloped viruses and vegetative cells. The measure of the power of disinfection is required to appropriately suggest the application of a particular disinfectant. The effectiveness of chemical disinfectants can be measured using different methods, such as qualitative suspension test, quantitative suspension test, American Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) Use Dilution test, Kelsey Sykes test, surface time kill test, etc. The phenol coefficient is one of the methods to determine the effectiveness of a disinfectant.

Definition of Phenol Coefficient

The phenol coefficient can be defined as:

“The number obtained by dividing the degree of dilution of test disinfectant by the degree of dilution of phenol in a certain span of time.”

If the number is greater than 1, it means that for given dilution, the test disinfectant is more powerful and can kill germs better than phenol. If the number obtained is less than 1, it means that for the given dilution, phenol is better at controlling germs.

Phenol coefficient(biology definition): the measure of the disinfecting power of a substance, determined by dividing the figure indicating the degree of dilution of the disinfectant that kills a microorganism within a given time by that indicating the degree of dilution of phenol killing the microorganism under similar conditions. Synonyms: Rideal-Walker coefficient; hygienic laboratory coefficient.

What is Phenol Coefficient?

Phenol is an aromatic compound and a carboxylic acid whose formula is C6H6O. Its structure is shown in the figure below:

Phenol structure
Figure 1: Structure of phenol (Chem. Purdue, 2019)

Phenol is recognized as one of the oldest antiseptic agents with excellent antifungal and antibacterial properties. At concentrations of 0.1 % to 1 %, it is bacteriostatic (i.e. stops the reproduction of bacteria). At higher concentrations (from 1% to 2%), phenol is fungicidal and bactericidal (i.e. destroys the fungus or bacteria). Phenol can kill Anthrax spores (which cause severe skin lesions, lung infections, and intestine diseases) at 5% concentration within 48 hours.

Although phenol has excellent antiseptic properties, it is not used as a common antiseptic due to its systemic toxicity on the skin. Death can result from oral ingestion in significant quantities. Thus phenol is used for comparison of the power of disinfection of other disinfectants such as chlorine, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, etc.

Phenol coefficient is a number obtained by dividing dilution ratio test disinfectant with the dilution ratio of phenol under predetermined conditions.

For instance, suppose phenol diluted to 1 part in 100 parts of diluent (1/100) is able to kill an organism in 10 minutes. Another disinfectant is diluted 1 part in 500 parts diluent (1/500) is able to kill organisms at the same time. So the phenol coefficient can be calculated as follows:

phenol coefficient calculation
Figure 2: Calculation of phenol coefficient

Thus, the phenol coefficient is 5. It means that the test disinfectant is stronger than phenol in terms of disinfection.

The phenol coefficient is a measure of the disinfecting power of a germicidal solution in relation to phenol. Phenol is an aromatic organic compound consisting of a phenyl group attached to a hydroxyl group. It is also known as carbolic acid. It is the typical disinfectant used in determining the germicidal strength of another disinfectant. (Lakomia & Fong, 1999)

Phenol Coefficient Test

Two types of phenol coefficient tests are done:

  1. Rideal Walker method for phenol coefficient determination
  2. Chick Martin test

Rideal Walker Method for Phenol coefficient determination

In 1903, Rideal Walker proposed a method to determine the power of a disinfectant in comparison with phenol. Let’s take a sample experimental procedure as follows.

  1. The broth with a test organism (Salmonella typhi) is prepared using microbiological grade meat extract (20g), sodium chloride (10g), microbiological grade peptone (20g), and distilled water 1000ml.
  2. The solids are mixed in water and boiled, sterilized, and then brought to room temperature.
  3. The pH of the solution is maintained between 7.3 and 7.5 using hydrochloric acid. The test organism Salmonella typhi culture is maintained by weekly sub-culture on nutrients. The sub-culture is added to the broth.
  4. The phenol solutions are prepared by dissolving 1 gram phenol in i.e. 95, 100, 105, 155 ml of water.
  5. Similarly, the desired concentrations of test disinfectant are prepared.
  6. Subcultures are tested on plates for intervals of 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 minutes.

The following table shows sample empirical data:

DisinfectantDilution ratioTime
2.55.07.510
 Phenol 1:95+
 1:100 ++
 1:105 +++
 1:155 ++++
 Test disinfectant 1:100 +
1:200 +
1:250 ++
1:300++++
1:350++++
1:400++++

 

The phenol coefficient for the above sample can be calculated as:

phenol coefficient formula

The limitation of the Rideal Walker method is that it does not account for the presence of any organic matter. Moreover, the time for disinfection testing is too short. This test is used only to determine the power of phenolic type disinfectants only.

Chick Martin test

Chick martin test incorporates the presence of organic matter as the test is not carried out in the water but yeast suspension or 4% dried human feces. The total time of the test is 30 minutes. Both S. typhi and S. aureus cultures are used to test the efficacy of disinfectants. The calculation method is the same as that Rideal Walker test.

To calculate for phenol coefficient, the number indicating the degree of dilution of the disinfectant in which it kills the microorganism within a given time (i.e. in 10 minutes but not in 5 minutes) is divided by the number indicating the degree of dilution of phenol in which the latter kills the microorganism in the same period of time and under the same conditions. A phenol coefficient that is greater than 1 indicates that the disinfectant is more effective than phenol. In contrast, a phenol coefficient that is lower than 1 means the disinfectant is less effective than phenol.

 

Limitations of Phenol Coefficient Tests

The phenol coefficient tests are designed specifically for determining the disinfection power of phenol-like disinfectants. However, it has been observed that the phenol coefficient is used for other purposes for which it is not applicable. Some chemicals whose structure and properties are completely different from phenol but are germicides (such as chlorine, picric acid, hydrogen peroxide, formalin, iodine, etc.) have been compared with phenol. In some cases, water-insoluble compounds are compared with phenol either in their pure form or diluted in other kinds of solvents. Such misuse of phenol coefficient creates confusion. It is also not recommended to use phenol coefficient for testing antiseptics because antiseptics are not used to kill Bacillus typhosus usually used in phenol tests. Different antiseptics kill different bacteria with varying antiseptic power. One example is tincture iodine, which is 760 times more disinfecting compared to 5 % phenol solution. However, in reality, tincture iodine is not 760 times more germicidal than 5 % phenol in practical conditions (Reddish, 1937).

Factors Affecting Phenol Coefficient Test

Four major factors affect the disinfectants and thus produce wrong results for phenol coefficient tests. These factors are temperature, pH, surface activity, and the presence of interfering substances. An increase in temperature has shown increased disinfectant properties. Optimal growth is achieved at pH between 6 to 8; thus, the recommended pH for the tests is 7.5. The surface-active compounds in low concentrations may increase the disinfectant power. Interfering substances such as certain salts may hinder disinfectant activity (Ononugbo, Reward, & Ike, 2018).

Try to answer the quiz below and see what you have learned so far about phenol coefficient.

Quiz

Choose the best answer. 

1. What is phenol coefficient?

2. The test disinfectant is more effective than phenol

3. The test disinfectant is less potent than phenol

4. Which of the following is NOT true about phenol?

5. Incorporates the presence of organic matter

Send Your Results (Optional)

Your Name
To Email

References

  • Chem.Purdue. (2019). Phenol. Retrieved June 21, 2021, from https://www.chem.purdue.edu/jmol/molecules/phenol.html
  • Lakomia, L. & Fong, E. (1999). Microbiology for health careers. Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers.
  • Ononugbo, C., Reward, E., & Ike, A. (2018). The Effect of pH and Temperature on Phenol Coefficients of Two Common Disinfectants Using Clinical Isolates of Escherichia coli and
  • Staphylococcus aureus. Journal of Advances in Microbiology, 10(2), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.9734/jamb/2018/41376
  • Reddish, G. F. (1937). Limitations of the Phenol Coefficient. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 29(9), 1044–1047. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie50333a017

©BiologyOnline.com. Content provided and moderated by Biology Online Editors.


You will also like...

Physical growth
Physical Development in Humans

This tutorial elaborates on the physical development of humans, particularly from puberty to adulthood. Read this tutori..

Biosecurity and Biocontrol
Biosecurity and Biocontrol

This lesson explores the impact of biosecurity threats, and why they need to be identified and managed. Examples to incl..

Carbohydrates, fats and proteins - dietary sources
A Balanced Diet – Carbohydrates and Fat

Apart from vitamins, the human body also requires high energy sources such as carbohydrates and fats. If you want an ove..

Darwin's Finches - Natural Selection
Darwin and Natural Selection

This tutorial investigates the genetic diversity in more detail. It also delineates how certain alleles are favored over..

Independent Assortment and Crossing Over
Independent Assortment and Crossing Over

This tutorial describes the independent assortment of chromosomes and crossing over as important events in meiosis. Read..

takahē
Takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri)

Meet the colorful takahē, an extremely rare flightless bird. Find out more about its unique features and why they matte..

Related Articles...

No related articles found

See all Related Topics