African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (8), pp. 987-990, 16 April 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

The antimicrobial activities of some commonly used disinfectants on Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans

O. Awodele*, P. M. Emeka, H. C. Agbamuche, and A. Akintonwa

Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Idi-Araba. University of Lagos, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: awodeleo@yahoo.com.

Accepted 26 February, 2007

The disinfectants; Savlon^R, Jik^R, Methylated spirit and kerosene were observed for their inhibitory activities on Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. This was done by measuring the zone of inhibition of the disinfectants on the tested organisms. The results showed that Savlon was very effective at 100% concentration, as it inhibits the growth of P. aeruginosa and B. subtilis to the level of 47 and 58 mm, respectively. However, there was no inhibitory activity on C. albicans at this concentration. At 6.25% concentration, it had remarkable antimicrobial activity on these organisms with 10 and 16 mm levels of inhibition respectively. Jik at 100% concentration inhibits the growth of P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis and C. albicans to a level of 17, 15 and 18 mm, respectively. After dilution to 50% concentration, its inhibitory activity on P. aeruginosa and B. subtilis reduced to a level of 15 and 4 mm, respectively, and there was no inhibition on C. albicans. Methylated spirit showed inhibitory activity on P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis and C. albicans to a level of 20, 22 and 21 mm, respectively. Dilution of methylated spirit had no inhibition on the organisms. Kerosene was only effective on C. albicans with 69 mm zone of inhibition at 100% concentration. The study showed that Methylated spirit and Jik have inhibitory activities on both fungi and bacteria, while kerosene had only but better antifungal activity and Savlon had only antibacterial activity.

Key words: Disinfectants, Organisms, Inhibition.