Comparative Evaluation of Different Hand Sanitizers

Hygiene is associated with prevention of disease and promoting health. The importance of hygiene is universally recognized, and evidence based. Hands are the part of body which helps in touching various objects and surfaces and performing various works. They are involved in cooking and eating. Children and even adults are required to sanitize hands to prevent the contamination and entry of microbes in the body through hands. Bacteria associated with the hands are termed micro flora of the hands which include Propionibacterium, Staphylococcus and others which could be reduced depending on personal hygiene and environment of humans. Hand sanitizers are available in market and helps to clean and sanitize hands. The present work deals with the comparison of some brands of hand sanitizers for their antimicrobial activity. The activity is evaluated by using cup and plate method with Ciprofloxacin as a standard. Samples of four brands of sanitizers like Sterillium, IMC herbal, Savlon and Jungle Magic were prepared by diluting them. All the samples were poured in agar wells and the zone of inhibition of each sample was measured. From the study it was concluded that IMC herbal sanitizer was found to be more efficient than other sanitizers.