Abstract:
Background: Azadirachta indica (neem), Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Citrus aurantium
(bitter orange) plants are known to have well known antimicrobial activity due to the presence
of various phytochemicals. Poly-herbal hand sanitizers consist of natural plant extracts are vital
in controlling the spread of microbes and in preventing the development of infectious diseases.
Objectives: To evaluate the phytochemical constitutes of plant extracts and formulate the
alcohol based poly herbal hand sanitizers with potential antimicrobial activity using neem
leaves, rhizomes of turmeric and bitter orange peels.
Methodology: Aqueous ethanolic (80%) extracts of the plants were obtained by steeping
method and subjected to phytochemical screening test and total phenolic content (TPC) and total
flavonoid content (TFC) were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu assay and by Aluminium Chloride
Colorimetric method respectively. The alcohol based poly herbal hand sanitizers (F1, F2, F3, F4
and F5) were formulated by incorporating freeze dried powders of 80% aqueous ethanolic
extracts to the base of the hand sanitizers. F1-F5 formulations were tested for stability parameters
and in vitro antibacterial activity by using agar well diffusion method against Staphylococcus
aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa compared to positive control
(commercial product) and the negative control (base).
Results: The phytochemical screening of all three extracts revealed the presence of
carbohydrates, phenolics, saponins and flavonoids TPC and TFC values of turmeric is
significantly higher than other plant extracts (3928.497±343.0241mg GAE/100g
DWand1657.711±138.281 mg CAE/100g of DW of the rhizomes.F5herbal hand sanitizer is
stable (colour, phase separation, odour, pH) for 1 month of period. Prominent zone of inhibition
(mm) was observed in F5 formulation (S. aureus 23.6±0.6, E.coli 15.6±0.6, P. aeruginosa
10.3±0.6) compared to the commercial product (S. aureus 0±0, E.coli 0±0, P. aeruginosa 0±0).
Conclusions: Selected plants are rich in polyphenols and flavonoids and formulated hand
sanitizers have significant antibacterial activity compared to commercial product tested against
all the tested microorganisms.
