EVALUATION OF VIRUCIDAL ACTIVITY OF A FEW PHYSICOCHEMICAL AGENTS AGAINST GOAT-POX VIRUS

Physico-chemical agents. viz. formalin (4%), sodium hypochlorite (0.4% ), sodium hydroxide (4%), hydrochloric acid (0.4%), phenol (2%) sunlig ht and environmental temperatures (summer and winter), were examined a gainst goat-pox virus for virucidal activity. Formalin and phenol comp letely inactivated the virus in 10 min, whereas hydrochloric acid did so in 30 min. Sodium hypochlorite failed to inactivate the virus in 30 min as there was only one log fall in residual titre. Sunlight inacti vated the virus in 60 min. The rate of inactivation was faster at 45 d egrees C (summer temperature) as compared to the winter temperature (2 5 degrees C-27 degrees C) though the residual virus was recovered at t he both temperatures after 180 min exposure. On the basis of the resul ts obtained, phenol in 2% concentration can be recommended for disinfe cting formalin.