noun
sterilant; sterilizing agent
A substance used to kill microorganisms and achieve sterility, typically in medical, laboratory, or food-processing contexts.
手術器具は滅菌剤で処理される。
Surgical instruments are treated with a sterilizing agent.
この滅菌剤は芽胞にも有効だ。
This sterilant is effective even against spores.
殺菌剤 is a bactericide that kills bacteria specifically, whereas 滅菌剤 aims for complete sterility.
Compound of 滅菌 (sterilization) + 剤 (agent, preparation).