Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of selected commercial antibacterial soaps on four American Type Culture Collection bacterial strains

[摘要] BackgroundAntibacterial soaps are useful with proper handwashing techniques to prevent the spread of bacteria among individuals. This study evaluates the activity of selected commercial antibacterial soaps on four American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) bacterial strains. The study was conducted to investigate the activity of each active ingredient on the microorganisms under investigation, compare the activities of the active ingredients, determine the active ingredient with the highest activity, ascertain the lowest dilution at which the active ingredient is effective, and compare the in vitro methods in assaying the active ingredients for the studied soaps.MethodsNine (N = 9) antibacterial soaps were selected using a combination of purposive and systematic sampling from January to March 2016. The antibacterial soaps were purchased from supermarkets in Liguanea, a community in Kingston, Jamaica. The in vitro methods employed in this investigation were agar well and disc diffusion techniques. The effectiveness of each soap was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Streptococcus agalactiae ATCC 12386, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. The data collected were compared at various dilutions to assess the antimicrobial activity for each active ingredient studied.ResultsThe most common active ingredient among the soaps tested was Triclocarban (45%). All tested active ingredients (Triclosan, Triclocarban, Benzenthonium Chloride, and Benzalkonium Chloride) showed varying scopes of activity among the tested microorganisms. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 was the most susceptible strain to the tested active ingredients, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 was the least, showing susceptibility with 0.1% Benzalkonium Chloride and 0.1% Benzethonium Chloride. Both active ingredients, 0.1% Benzalkonium Chloride and 0.1% Benzethonium were the most active among the tested soaps. The well diffusion technique yields more antimicrobial activity than the disc diffusion technique when compared.ConclusionThe activity of antibacterial soaps varies based on the species of the bacteria. Gram-positive cocci like Staphylococcus aureus showed more susceptibility to the active ingredients when compared to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative rod. While both in vitro methods yield results, the well diffusion gave a better overview of the active ingredients against the tested microorganisms.

[发布日期] 2026-09-10

[关键词] Handwashing;Active ingredient;Antibacterial soap;Agar well diffusion;Disc diffusion