Question

Select the active antiseptic ingredient in dettol?

Options

• Iodine

• Chloroxylenol

• Thymol

• Benzalkonium Chloride

Answer 1

Chloroxylenol

Explanation:

Chloroxylenol (also known as PCMX) is a phenolic compound that kills bacteria and fungi by disrupting their cell membranes, making it an effective antiseptic. It is dissolved in a mixture of pine oil, castor oil, and isopropanol to make the Dettol solution, which is why Dettol turns milky white when mixed with water.