Table 2 Stability of selected phages in the presence of commonly used disinfectants and metal ions.

Percentage of active phages after incubation with the selected agent (%)

 Tested factor/incubation time (min)

5

10

20

30

5

10

20

30

5

10

20

30

 70% ethanol

0.37*

0.23*

0.13*

0.08*

0.24*

0.13*

0.12*

0.07*

0.20*

0.13*

0.04*

0.03*

 Agent 1

0.05*

0.07*

0.04*

0.13*

0.08*

0.08*

0.09*

0.10*

n.a.p.*

n.a.p.*

n.a.p.*

n.a.p.*

 Agent 2

n.a.p.*

n.a.p.*

n.a.p.*

n.a.p.*

n.a.p.*

n.a.p.*

n.a.p.*

n.a.p.*

n.a.p.*

n.a.p.*

n.a.p.*

n.a.p.*

 Copper solution

67.91*

68.50

62.30

70.28*

42.12*

36.26*

39.21*

40.33*

58.68*

51.89*

73.95*

55.48*

 Silver solution

99.80

86.22*

99.51*

98.62*

31.59*

32.05*

34.77*

39.40*

61.08*

49.10*

47.90*

49.10*

Percentage of active phages after incubation with the selected agent (%)

 Incubation time (s)

30

60

30

60

30

60

 Agent 3

3.24*

2.17*

2.21*

1.18*

3.70*

3.18*

 Agent 4

1.66*

1.20*

0.59*

0.35*

1.05*

0.82*