<；P>；PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an antimicrobial agent composed of a highly safe specific alkanediol derivative having same as or a higher antimicrobial activity than that of paraben and a good feeling of use, to provide an antimicrobial composition with the enhanced antimicrobial activity and to provide a cosmetic and a detergent comprising the antimicrobial composition. <；P>；SOLUTION: The antimicrobial agent is composed of a compound represented by general formula (1) (wherein, R represents a 4-8C alkyl group； X and Y represent each a 2-4C alkylene group； m X and n Y may be same or different； m and n represent each a number of 0-4, with the proviso that m and n are not simultaneously 0； and at least one propylene group is present in the sum total of m X and n Y). The antimicrobial composition is obtained by enhancing the antimicrobial activity thereof. <；P>；COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
