ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF BLACK SOAP

ABSTRACT

The antimicrobial activities of traditional black soaps prepared locally (Ncha-Nkota) and one prepared commercially (Dudu Osun) widely used by different tribes in Nigeria such as Hausa, Yoruba, Nupe and Igbo against skin infections were examined against some pathogenic microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans) using agar-well diffusion method. The pattern of inhibition varied with the soap concentration and the organisms tested. The two soaps were more effective on Candida albicans with the locally prepared soap (Ncha-Nkota) having a maximum zone of growth inhibition of 11.7mm at 100mg/ml while the commercially prepared soap (Dudu Osun) had a maximum zone of growth inhibition of 12mm at 100mg/ml, followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Escherichia coli had the least zone of growth inhibition of 8mm and 8.7mm at 100mg/ml for Ncha-Nkota and Dudu Osun respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was found to be 25mg/ml for Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans, while Escherichia coli had minimum inhibitory concentration of 50mg/ml for the two soaps worked with. The antimicrobial activities exhibited by these two soaps in this study could be attributed to the presence of its constituents which signifies the potential of the soap as a topical therapeutic agent. These findings therefore, justify the traditional medicinal use of these two soaps.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page                                                                                                                                i

Certification                                                                                                                             ii

Dedication                                                                                                                              iii

Acknowledgements                                                                                                                 iv

Table of Contents                                                                                                                    v

List of Tables                                                                                                                           vii

Abstract                                                                                                                                   viii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       Introduction and Literature Review                                                                            1

 1.1      Introduction                                                                                                                 1

1.2       Aims and Objectives of the Study                                                                              4

1.3       Literature Review                                                                                                        5

1.4       Steps in Making Black Soap                                                                                        6

1.5       Ingredients                                                                                                                   8

1.6       Palm Kernel Oil                                                                                                           8

1.7       Shea Butter                                                                                                                  9

1.8       Ash (burnt plantain skins or cocoa pods)                                                                     9

1.9       Test Organisms                                                                                                           10

1.10     Agar Well Diffusion Method                                                                                     11

CHAPTER TWO                   

2.0       Methodology                                                                                                              12

2.1       Sample Collection and Preparation                                                                              12

2.2       Test Microorganisms                                                                                                    12

2.3       Biochemical Tests                                                                                                       12

2.3.1    Catalase Test                                                                                                              13

2.3.2    Coagulase Test                                                                                                             13

2.3.3    Urease Test                                                                                                                 13

2.3.4    Methyl Red Test                                                                                                          14

2.3.5    Oxidase Test                                                                                                               14

2.4       Test For Confirmation of Candida albicans                                                               14

2.5       Sterilization and Aseptic Conditions                                                                           15

2.6       Media Preparation                                                                                                        15

2.7       Screening for Antimicrobial Activity                                                                         15

2.8       Test for MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration)                                                   16

2.9       Test for MBC (Minimum Bactericidal Concentration)                                               16

2.10     Test for MFC (Minimum Fungicidal Concentration)                                                 16

CHAPTER THREE

3.0       Results                                                                                                                        18

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0       Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendation                                                            26

4.1       Discussion                                                                                                                    26

4.2       Conclusion                                                                                                                   28

4.3       Recommendation                                                                                                         28

References

Appendix

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE                                                     TITLE                                                            PAGE

1:                  Mean Diameter Zone of Inhibition (mm) of Locally Prepared Black Soap

        (Ncha-Nkota) Against The Test Organisms.                                                         19

2:                  Mean Diameter Zone of Inhibition (mm) of Commercially Prepared Black

                    Soap (Dudu Osun) Against The Test Organisms.                                                              21

3:                  MIC,  MBC and MFC of  Locally Prepared Black Soap (Ncha-Nkota)

                     Against the Test Organisms.                                                                                      23

4:                  MIC,  MBC  and MFC of Commercially Prepared Black Soap (Dudu Osun)

                     Against the Test Organisms.                                                                                  25

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW

 1.1      INTRODUCTION

Soap is the oldest cleanser around.  It is created by a chemical reaction between oils, water and lye called saponification.  Although lye is used to make soap, there is no lye left after saponification is complete.  There is no such thing as a bar soap that is made without using lye.  The African Black Soap is made using natural lye that is found in the ashes of the plantain drying process, which is the best in the world. So even the lye used in this traditional soap is all natural and chemical free.

Bathing is one of the most important ways of practicing proper hygiene and this is done with the aid of soap. Hygienic conditions are therefore necessary for maintaining good health in homes, communities, business centers and in health care settings. Using quality soaps with antiseptic properties helps to reduce the effect of disease causing micro-organisms on the skin. For years, black soap has also been used to achieve beautiful and healthy skin. African women have also used this natural soap for bathing and washing their hair (Ikpoh, et al., 2012). There is a general believe among the Yoruba people that black soap will always enhance soft and disease free skin.

Microorganisms found on the human skin are of two distinct populations: resident and transient (Jawetz et al., 2010). Resident microorganisms such as Candida albicans,  Malassezia sp. are considered as floral inhabitant of the skin.Transient microorganisms are found on and within the epidermal layer of the skin, as well as other areas of the body where they do not normally reside. Almost all disease producing microorganisms belong to this category (Oluranti, et al., 2012). Pathogens that may be present on the skin as transient types includes Esherichia coli, Dermatophytes such as Microsporium , Trichophyton and  Salmonella sp.

Fungal infections of the skin are also known as mycoses. They are common and generally mild. However, in immune-suppressed individual, fungi can sometimes cause serious disease (Jonathan et al., 2012). A variety of environmental and physiological conditions have also been reported to contribute to the development of fungal diseases (Jonathan, et al ., 2011).

As soap making is part of Western world, African is not entirely left out. In African, traditional soap (black soap) is known with different names from various regions of the continent. For instance, in the Western part of Africa, black soap is known as Anago soap or Alata simena in Ghana, and in Nigeria, it is known by the hausa as Sabilum-salo, the Yoruba as Ose-dudu and in Igbo as Ncha-Nkota. Traditional medicine can be described as total combination of knowledge, practice and belief incorporating plant , animals and minerals based medicine whether explicable or not, used in diagnosing, preventing or eliminating a physical, mental or social diseases and which may rely exclusively on past experience handed down from generation to generation either verbally or in writing (David, 2005).

The traditional African Black soap which has in combination, water, roasted plantain skin or cocoa pod, palm oil, palm kernel oil, or shea butter, when put together, are collectively referred to as “black soap”. African Black soap or black soap is a natural source of vitamin A and E, and iron (Grieve, 1997). Depending on where it is manufactured, black soap contains leaves and bark from plantains, shea tree bark, cocoa pods or palm tree leaves. The leaves and bark are sun dried and then slow-roasted in a kettle or pot, then various oils, including coconut oil, shea butter and palm kernel oil are stirred into the mixture. The soap is then allowed to cure for at least two weeks before it is ready for use (Bella, 2008). Black soap made with shea butter offers protection against UV rays while black soap made with plantains contains a high concentration of iron along with vitamins A and E (Treehugger, 2008).

African Black soap has numerous benefits and importance. Black soap enjoys a reputation for improving or eliminating uneven skin tone, razor bumps caused by ringworm, hairs and skin rashes. It is not scented and can be used by anyone who wishes to improve the quality of his/her skin. It is excellent for clearing up oily skin. African people also use black soap to prevent the skin from rashes, ring worm, measles, and eczema and body odor. It is used as a natural shampoo to avoid dry itchy scalp. Black soap is used in the treatment of many infectious diseases caused by micro-organisms. Black soap is highly thought of; it is used in African for spiritual purification. (Kareen, 2001).

In recent time, the soap has been improved industrially into more presentable forms (although many people still prefer the traditionally prepared one) with different trade names such as ‘Village Fresh’, ‘Dudu Osun’ and ‘Zee Black Soap’. The attribute of the soap includes gentleness on the skin, rich lather, protection against skin disorders (including rashes, eczema, scabies) treatment of skin infection (such as ringworm), protection of even skin toning and smoothness of the skin (Getradeghana, 2000).

1.2       AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1.      To determine the Antimicrobial Activity of black soap prepared locally (Ncha-Nkota) and black soap prepared commercially (Dudu Osun) on some selected pathogens i.e. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans

2.      To determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bacterocidal Concentration (MBC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) of the locally prepared (Ncha-Nkota) and commercially prepared (Dudu Osun) black soap.

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