Antimicrobial Activity of Locally Made Soaps against Selected Bacteria

Some studies have reported the considerable antimicrobial activities of locally made soaps, prompting the investigation of the antibacterial effects of three selected locally produced soaps in this study. The antimicrobial activity of the three locally produced soaps [neem, turmeric, and African black soaps] were challenged against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli at different concentrations [3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, and 15%]. African black soap [44.5 mm] showed the highest diameter of zone of inhibition (DZOI) , followed by neem soap [12.75 mm] and turmeric soap [6.26 mm], which recorded the lowest DZOI. Neem soap revealed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 120 mg/mL], and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC)] of 125 mg/mL for Staphylococcus aureus. Turmeric soap exhibited a MIC of 50 mg/mL against Klebsiella pneumoniae and a MBC of 50 mg/mL against Escherichia coli. African black soap exhibited a MIC of 50 mg/mL] for S. aureus] with a MBC of 50 mg/mL for Proteus mirabilis. The results from this research support the fact that locally produced African black soaps and neem soap may be exploited as additional sources of care in tackling and preventing skin bacterial diseases.