Antibacterial Activity of Lime Peel and Lemongrass Extract as Active Ingredients for Spray Hand Sanitizer

Abstract

Hand sanitizers are widely used as an alternative way to maintain hand hygiene from the presence of pathogenic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus. In general, excessive use of alcohol as the main ingredient in hand sanitizers might cause skin irritation. Utilizing antibacterial activity of plants as a component in hand sanitizer could be used as a substitution for alcohol. The aim of this study was to determine the potential antibacterial activity of lime peel and lemongrass extracts as active ingredients for hand sanitizer. Method used in this research included extraction using maceration, qualitative phytochemical test, antibacterial assay, and formulation of spray hand sanitizer and quality test of spray hand sanitizer. In this study alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, tannin and terpenoid were found as phytochemical content of lime peel, while lemongrass extract contain fla vonoid, tanin, saponin and steroid. Compared to lemongrass extract, lime peel extract with concentration 40%showed the optimum inhibition zone of S. aureus and chosen as active ingredient in spray hand sanitizer formulation. Formulated spray hand sanitizer with lime peel extract was able to inhibit the growth of S. aureus bacteria on hand palm.