ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS OF DEODORANTS ON SKIN FLORA
*Ohalete, C.N.1, Okafor,C.V.1, Uwaezuoke J.C.1 and,Nwachukwu, M.I.1 Nwaehiri, V.L.3
1Department of Microbiology, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
2Department of Public Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
3Department of Biology/Microbiology, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
The antimicrobial effects of deodorants (Lenteric, Infinity, Nivea,
Malizia, Timeless, and Intensa) were assayed on skin flora isolated
from 205 male and female respondents, between June and September,
2011. Three anatomical sides; Neck, armpit and chest were swabbed
with sterile evapon swab strike, streaked out on culture media
(*general purpose medium, blood agar, macconkey, sabouraud
dextrose agar), cultured, subcutured to get pure isolates and identified.
A total of 212 bacteria and fungal species isolated were used to test
antimicrobial effect of deodorant. Isolated organisms were
Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli,
Bacillus species, Pseudomonas aeruginose and Candida albicans.
The zone of growth of inhabitation exhibited by deodourant especially
lenteric and infinity were comparable to those of the control antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin) and
antifungal (Nystatin). Analysis of there Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) had
lenferic with the least MIC of 50% (V/V), infinity; intense, timeless were 70% (W/V), and
maliza 80% (W/V). At these concentrations infinity and lenferic inhibited all test organisms,
while timeless inhibited 80%, intense and malizia 60%. Prevalence of skin microflora
between male and female respondents as well as between the different age groups was
significant at (P > 0.5). There were strong positive correlation between; body odor and
prevalence of skin flora; prevalence of skin microflora and use and non-use of deodourant.
The spray deodorant exhibited greater antimicrobial effect than the gel or stick type. Effects of these deodorants showed that the deodourant exhibited bacteriostatic effects on test
isolates. As such, this is an indication that deodorant keeps the organisms associated with the
skin in check to avoid proliferation which may precipitate infection.
Keywords: Antimicrobial, Effects Dedourants, Skin, Flora.
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