NTU Undergraduates' research April 2014 - Biosciences | Page 134

Investigation of Skin Microbial Flora by following the Use Of
Antiseptic Products
Kai Tai, Au
Nowadays there are variety of commercially available antiseptic products for
wound cleansing and prevent infections. Surprisingly, there are limited studies
to investigate the efficacy of those commercially available antiseptic products.
In this study, 3 antiseptic products were tested to determine their antiseptic
efficacy, also to compare the antiseptic effectiveness of the active compounds
and the relationship between the efficacy of antiseptic products and their
formulations. This study was consisted of in vivo of in vitro experiments. Study
products were applied on 4 different marked test areas(Left forearm, hand,
neck and forehead), after the defined times(5 min, 10 min, 30 min, 60 minutes),
sampling and cultures were conducted according the following procedure: the
marked test areas were rubbed with a sterile cotton swab soaked in PBS, the
swab was then streaked on a blood agar plate for incubation. For in vitro test,
streak plate was performed to obtain the skin microbial flora for production of
inoculum. The inoculum was spread over the entire surface of an Iso-sensitest
agar(ISA) plate by using a sterile cotton swab, study products were then swab
on the marked area on the ISA plates. The results showed the Germolene
antiseptic ointment had a significant antiseptic duration, all the tested products
showed similar ability of reduction of microbes. We consider that the
Germolene antiseptic ointment has the most effective antiseptic efficacy.
However, we could not determine the antiseptic effectiveness of the active
compounds and the relationship between the efficacy of antiseptic products and
their formulations.

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