Formulation and evaluation of saponin based alcohol - free polyherbal hand sanitizer

Abstract

Sanitization is essential in limiting the spread of infectious diseases. Alcohol based sanitizer formulations consists of toxic compounds which are harmful to human health and not environmental friendly. The purpose of the present research is to formulate a bio-derived alcohol free hand sanitizer. Saponins are secondary metabolites that are stored in the roots of many plant species, where they may act as antimicrobial phytoprotectants. Saponins were extracted by Soxhlet extractor using methanol as solvent. Saponins were tested for their individual and synergetic antimicrobial (Agar plate diffusion method) and anti-oxidant (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay) activity. Polyherbal sanitizer was formulated using saponin as the main ingredient. It was evaluated for its physical parameters and antimicrobial properties. The synergistic effect of saponins was higher when compared to the individual saponins’ antimicrobial activity. The formulated polyherbal sanitizer evinced acceptable organoleptic properties with slightly acidic pH and demonstrated antimicrobial properties against selected microorganisms with maximum activity against Staphylococcus aureus (concentration =100µl, zone of inhibition diameter =24±1 mm). The antimicrobial efficacy of the formulated sanitizer was comparable to that of a commercially available hand sanitizer.