Is the disk diffusion method measuring bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal action?
Answer Hi Gillian: Thanks for your question. There’s no way to tell if the disc diffusion is bacteriostatic or -cidal until you take away the disinfectant. If the bacteria grow, then it was bacteriostatic. If they don’t grow, then it’s bacteriocidal. A stringent test is one that takes the disinfectant to the extreme of killing. Spores are the hardest to kill, so killing them is a stringent test. Hope this helps, write back if you have more questions.
