Studies on antimicrobial activity of antiseptic soaps and herbal soaps against selected human pathogens

Abstract

In the present study antimicrobial activity of various antiseptic and herbal market soaps were determined against bacterial isolates present on the skin surface like Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using agar disc diffusion method. Various microbes are deposited on the surface of skin from the dust present in external environment which causes infection. Antimicrobial activities of various soaps on such micro flora pathogens were studied. The results obtained revealed that amongthe antiseptic soaps highest efficacy was performed by Dettol and Lifebuoy Plus soaps against Gram positive isolates but in Gram negative isolates Dettol and Savlon had maximum bactericidal activity. In Herbal soaps Neem followed by Aloe Vera was found to be most effective with all isolates as compared to Haldi Chandan soap. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found as most resistant isolate to all soaps in the present study.