Formulation, evaluation and antimicrobial effect of herbal disinfectants

Area of Science:

• Ethnobotany
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) necessitates novel infection control strategies.
• Herbal disinfectants offer a cost-effective and potentially potent alternative to conventional agents.
• Indigenous plant resources hold untapped potential for developing effective antimicrobial formulations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To formulate and evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of herbal disinfectants derived from indigenously available plants.
• To assess the activity of these formulations against hospital-derived microbial flora.
• To analyze the chemical composition of promising herbal formulations.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of six distinct herbal disinfectant formulations using local plant materials.
• Standardized protocol for antimicrobial activity testing against clinical isolates.
• Qualitative phytochemical analysis and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for chemical composition.

Main Results:

• Citrobacter koseri exhibited significant sensitivity to the Acacia nilotica formulation.
• The Acacia nilotica disinfectant demonstrated a 35mm larger inhibition zone compared to standard antibiotics.
• FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds in Acacia nilotica, Moringa oleifera, and Senna alata formulations.

Conclusions:

• Herbal disinfectants, particularly from Acacia nilotica, show significant potential for combating hospital-acquired infections.
• The identified bioactive compounds contribute to the observed antimicrobial activity, supporting their use in infection control.
• These findings highlight the promise of indigenous botanicals in addressing the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance.