ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF SOME COMMERCIAL MEDICATED AND HOME MADE SOAPS USED IN UMUAHIA, ABIA STATE

Abstract

The use of soap whether commercial or locally made to ensure cleanliness cannot be overemphasized. The aim of the study is to analyze the antibacterial activity of some commercial medicated and locally made soap used in Umuahia. A total of 3 locally produced soaps were collected and used for this study against some clinical isolates using the agar well diffusion technique. The commercial medicated soaps showed higher antibacterial effect comparatively. Crusader soap showed the highest antibacterial activity at all dilutions (200mg/ml to 6.25mg/ml) with diameter zone of inhibition of 25mm and 10mm respectively against Staphylococcus aureus. On the other hand, the locally made soaps also showed some level of antibacterial activity ranging from as low as 10mm (100mg/ml) with soda soap on Escherichia coli to high as 18mm (200mg/ml) with Black soap on both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Ogbe soap produced no antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Crusader soap showed equal MIC and MBC values of 6.25mg/ml for S. aureus while black soap and Ogbe soap had no antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa but inhibited E.coli at 100mg/ml and 25mg/ml respectively. From the results of the study the use of commercial medicated soaps should be encouraged.