Formulated Hand Sanitizer Utilizing Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis) Leaf Extract as an Active Ingredient

Abstract

Passiflora edulis leaf extracts were added as an active ingredient for alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS). Matured leaves were air-dried, powdered, and soaked in methanol (1:10, w/v) for 24 hours. The solvent-free crude extract was used to formulate hand sanitizer utilizing varying amounts of leaf extract (1,3 and 5% w/w). The antimicrobial activities of the leaf extracts and the hand sanitizer formulations were determined by calculating the zone of inhibition against some common pathogenic microorganisms. Physicochemical properties of the formulated hand sanitizers like appearance, odor, color, density, pH, and viscosity were also analyzed. Results show that the crude leaf extract contains alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins as confirmed by the phytochemical screening and FTIR spectroscopy. Active antimicrobial activity against 3 of 5 microorganisms, namely Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, was observed in crude leaf extract and formulated hand sanitizer. The formulated hand sanitizers are characterized by gel-to-liquid appearance, yellow-greenish tinge, characteristic citrus scent, and slightly acidic pH. The density and the viscosity of the three formulations were dependent on the concentration of passion fruit extract in the formulation.