Antimicrobial activity of a combination of three natural plant extracts and development of a herbal soap
Open accessAbstract
Azadirachta indica, Cassia fistula and Nelumbo nucifera are medicinal plants that are frequently found in Sri Lanka.Although the antimicrobial activity of these plants has been investigated individually, the effectiveness of a combined extract has not been determined in previous studies.This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of A. indica, C. fistula, N. nucifera and their combined extract to formulate an antimicrobial herbal soap.Different concentrations of aqueous and ethanol extracts of powdered leaves of A. indica, C. fistula and flowers of N. nucifera were prepared separately.Each extract was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans using the agar well diffusion method.Combined extract was prepared using selected extracts of each plant with the highest antimicrobial activity.Combined extract formulated from ethanol extract of C. fistula and aqueous extracts of A. indica and N. nucifera was incorporated into a herbal soap.The antimicrobial activity of the combined extract and the herbal soap was determined using the agar well diffusion method.Combined extract and formulated soap exhibited antimicrobial activity against tested organisms with the highest activity against S. aureus.The physical and chemical parameters of the formulated herbal soap were determined.The pH of the formulated soap at 28℃ was 9.11, the percentage of alcohol insoluble matter and free alkali were 24.6% and 1.6% respectively, which were within the accepted range.In conclusion, compared to the results of individual extracts, the soap has demonstrated enhanced antimicrobial activity against tested organisms.Further development of herbal soap as a value added product would be beneficial.
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The data from sensory evaluation and physicochemical analysis were statistically validated using ANOVA to determine significant differences between experimental treatments and control groups.
“The data collected from the sensory evaluation and physicochemical analysis were statistically validated (ANOVA) to determine any significant differences between the experimental treatments and the control groups (3) , (11)”
From Efficacy of Carabao Horn Powder as an Organic Ingredient in Soap Production (2026) · cites this paper as [11]
pH was measured using a calibrated digital pH meter on a 10% (w/v) aqueous soap solution to ensure skin compatibility.
“pH Determination: Measured using a calibrated digital pH meter on a 10% (w/v) aqueous soap solution to ensure skin compatibility (11)”
From Efficacy of Carabao Horn Powder as an Organic Ingredient in Soap Production (2026) · cites this paper as [11]
The moisture content of the soaps was much lower than the maximum values of 15-20% recommended in commercial standards.
“The moisture content (6.8%-7.3%) was much lower than the maximum values (15%-20%) recommended in commercial standards (8) , (11)”
From Efficacy of Carabao Horn Powder as an Organic Ingredient in Soap Production (2026) · cites this paper as [11]
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Efficacy of Carabao Horn Powder as an Organic Ingredient in Soap Production
Santos-Manuel, M., & Agbisit, I. C. (2026) · Indian Journal Of Science And Technology · doi:10.17485/ijst/v19i25.2007
- Authors
- Wijayawardhana, N., Cooray, D., Jayasuriya, B., Uluwaduge, I., Meedin, F., & Arawwawala, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Sri Jayewardenepura (LK)
- Corresponding author
- Jayasuriya, Banukie
- Venue
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Asia
- Published
- 2021
- Volume
- 48
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 523-534
- ISSN
- 2586-8195 (ISSN-L)
- 2586-8470
- OpenAlex
- W3209874107
- Cited by
- 4
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2023: 3
- FWCI
- 0.45
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by-nc-nd
- Locations
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Asia (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Funders
- University of Sri Jayewardenepura
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Medicinal Plant Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants
- Keywords
- Azadirachta indica, Cassia fistula, Nelumbo nucifera, herbal soap, antimicrobial activity, plant extracts, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, combined plant extracts, soap formulation, medicinal plants
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