Some detergents have proved to be effective in destroying pathogens in water. Those producing the best results are the:

Cationic detergents are known for their effectiveness in destroying pathogens in water due to their positively charged ions. These cationic surfactants possess antimicrobial properties that allow them to disrupt the cell membranes of bacteria and other microorganisms. When these detergents come into contact with pathogens, they bind to the negatively charged components of the microbial cell surfaces, leading to the collapse of the cellular structure and ultimately resulting in cell death.

In contrast, anionic and nonionic detergents do not have the same level of microbicidal activity. Anionic detergents tend to work well in breaking down soils and organic matter, but their effectiveness against pathogens is limited. Nonionic detergents are generally milder and are often used in applications where lower irritation is preferred, such as in personal care products, but they lack the strong antimicrobial properties found in cationic detergents.

Amphoteric detergents can also be effective in certain circumstances, but they are primarily utilized for their versatility in different pH environments and do not consistently demonstrate superior antimicrobial capabilities compared to cationic detergents.

Thus, for applications focused on pathogen destruction in water, cationic detergents are the most effective choice due to their strong bactericidal properties.