Abstract:
Background: Hand hygiene is taken as an effective preventive measure to avoid spread of
antimicrobial resistance.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to develop non-alcohol based hand scrubs using
natural plant extracts and evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy against selective
microorganisms.
Methodology: Two formulations (F1 and F2) of non-alcohol based herbal hand scrubs with
medicinal plant extracts were prepared. F1 formulation was prepared by the combination of
clove oil and medicinal aloe while the F2 formulation by the combination of cinnamon oil
and medicinal aloe as the herbal extracts. Two positive controls and two negative controls
were used. Health care professionals were randomly tested to identify the viable pathogens,
which are present on hands. Among the identified microorganisms, antimicrobial activity
was tested using agar well diffusion method against standard cultures of Candida albicans
and Streptococcus pyogenes identified. The physical stability parameters (pH, odor,
appearance and color) were measured for 90 days at room temperature.
Results and conclusions: F1 and F2 hand scrubs were found to be homogenous liquid and
milky white in colour with a pleasant odor. The mean values of zones of inhibition of F1
hand scrub were 34.67±1.16 mm and 21.00±0.00 mm against C. albicans and S. pyogenes
respectively. The mean values of zones of inhibition of F2 hand scrub were 21.00±3.00 mm
and 12.33±0.58 mm against C. albicans and S. pyogenes respectively. The mean values of
inhibition zones of negative controls (distilled water-N1, glycerin-N2) and 70% ethanol
(positive control-P1) against C. albicans and S. pyogenes were zero (0.00) mm. The mean
values of inhibition zones of the market product (positive control-P2) were 11.30±1.53 mm
and 10.00±0.00 mm against C. albicans and S. pyogenes respectively. It is concluded that
the formulated two non-alcohol based hand scrubs (F1 and F2) have promising antimicrobial
activity against pathogens tested.
