Abstract
Environment hygiene is important for preventing infection and promoting a healthier environment in which to live or work. The goal of this study was to examine the antimicrobial effects of Citrus aurantifolia (key lime) juice and aqueous extracts of Cinnamomum iners (cinnamon) bark and Citrus hystrix (kaffir lime) leaves on the kinetic growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Antimicrobial activity was quantitatively evaluated using spectrophotometry and viable cell counts versus bacterial growth time. The fomite surface samples that were used in the second experiment were chosen randomly from the laboratories. They were assessed both before and after intervention using a mixture of commercial disinfectant detergent and lime juice. In the kinetic growth study, the lime juice effectively eliminated P. aeruginosa and MRSA. The cinnamon bark extract was more effective at inhibiting P. aeruginosa than MRSA. The kaffir lime leaf extract demonstrated bacteriostatic activity for the first 60 min, which then weakened after 90 min for both bacteria. The lime juice extract and commercial disinfectant mixture effectively disinfected the fomites. Further studies of the use of key lime juice as a disinfectant in the hospital environment should be conducted, as C. aurantifolia exhibits antibacterial activities against endemic microbes.
Highlights
Indoor cleanliness should be maintained to a standard level to preclude surface degradation and to control the potential risk of infection and dust exposure
The bacteriostatic effects of key lime juice and aqueous extracts of cinnamon bark and kaffir lime leaves on 103 cells/mL Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were determined using a spectrophotometer (for optical density (OD) values) and the standard method of viable counts on agar as a reference
The P. aeruginosa positive control exhibited a smooth increase in the graph pattern for both OD and viable counts, which shows kinetic growth of healthy bacteria cells (Figure 1)
Summary
Indoor cleanliness should be maintained to a standard level to preclude surface degradation and to control the potential risk of infection and dust exposure. Environment surfaces, such as floors and tiles, are often covered by a layer of dust consisting of minerals, metals, fibres, particles, organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic compounds, and biological entities, including bacteria, pollen, and animal allergens. The degree of bactericidal action against microorganisms depends on their sensitivity to the disinfectant chemical. A high level disinfectant helps eliminate microorganisms, excluding large quantities of spores, whereas low level disinfection is inefficient for mycobacteria or spore clearance [2]
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