Effect of Biocides on MS2 and K Coliphages

Several biocides commonly used in disinfection processes as antibacterial and antifungal agents were tested for activity against MS2 and K coliphages. MS2 was resistant to most biocides; only glutaraldehyde (0.5%) and peracetic acid (1%) achieved a 4-log 10 titer reduction in 20 min. In contrast, K phage was sensitive to most biocides, being resistant only to phenol (2%) and chlorhexidine (1%).