Comparison of antimicrobial effectiveness of soaps containing essential oil of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), triclosan and chlorhexidine in hand hygiene artificially contaminated

• Grant number: 11/18448-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2012
• End date: June 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing - Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Kazuko Uchikawa Graziano
• Grantee: Kazuko Uchikawa Graziano
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem (EE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The antimicrobial effects of essential oils have been reported in scientific literature, especially about essential oil of Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia). This essential oil has shown antiseptic properties and may represent a natural and alternative product for hand hygiene in health care establishments that currently use products based on triclosan and chlorhexidine. Objective. Evaluate the effectiveness of hand hygiene in reducing microbial load performed with three differents formulations of liquid soaps available, including: Tea Tree essential oil 0.3%, soap containing triclosan in concentration of 0.5% and chlorhexidine 2.0%. Method. Will be applied the guidelines of the European Committee for Standardization, EN1499 methodology, indicated to evaluate the efficacy of antiseptics for hand hygiene. The methodology recommends the artificial contamination of hands from 12 to 15 healthy volunteers with Escherichia coli K12 followed by washing hands with each product under evaluation. According to the methodology, results will be compared between products and with a non-antimicrobial soap ("soft soap"), in the same subject, day and under similar environmental conditions. Will be counted the number of microorganisms before (pre-values) and after (post-values) handwashing. The relationship between pre- and post-values represents the antimicrobial activity of each product, making it possible to test the effectiveness of soap containing Tea Tree oil compared to active ingredients that have been used traditionally (chlorhexidine and triclosan. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GNATTA, JULIANA RIZZO; GOMES PINTO, FLAVIA MORAIS; DE MORAES BRUNA, CAMILA QUARTIM; DE SOUZA, RAFAEL QUEIROZ; GRAZIANO, KAZUKO UCHIKAWA; PAES DA SILVA, MARIA JULIA. Comparison of hand hygiene antimicrobial efficacy: Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil versus triclosan. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, v. 21, n. 6, p. 1212-1219, NOV-DEC 2013. (11/18448-2)

GNATTA, JULIANA RIZZO; GOMES PINTO, FLAVIA MORAIS; DE MORAES BRUNA, CAMILA QUARTIM; DE SOUZA, RAFAEL QUEIROZ; GRAZIANO, KAZUKO UCHIKAWA; PAES DA SILVA, MARIA JULIA. Comparison of hand hygiene antimicrobial efficacy: Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil versus triclosan. REVISTA LATINO-AMERICANA DE ENFERMAGEM, v. 21, n. 6, p. 8-pg., 2013-11-01. (11/18448-2)