Comparative Survey of Antibacterial Potency of Formulated Black Soap with Aloe Vera Extracts on Some Clinical Pathogens from the Skin

Abstract

A comparative survey to determine the antibacterial potency of black soap formulated with Aloe vera and 
the Aloe vera extracts against some clinical pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes 
and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) of skin origin was carried out using agar "well" diffusion method. The Aloe 
vera formulated black soap and the Aloe vera extracts shows appreciable antibacterial potentials at all the 
concentrations (10%, 30%, 50% and 70%) used against the test organisms. The highest activity of 20.0 mm 
was recorded against S. aureus at the highest concentration of 70% used for the Aloe vera formulated soap 
and no activity was observed at the lower concentration against Ps. aeruginosa. Both the Aloe vera Gel and 
ethanolic leaf extracts recorded the highest activity of 18.0 mm against Ps. aeruginosa at the highest 
concentration of 70% used; no activity was recorded against S. aureus at lower concentrations used for both 
extracts and also no activity was observed against S. pyogenes for the Aloe vera ethanolic leaf extract. The 
MIC and MBC survey of the Aloe vera extracts and the formulated soap from Aloe vera indicates high 
antibacterial potentials against the test organisms except for the ethanolic leaf extract that fails to show any 
activity against S. pyogenes. The phytochemical survey of the extracts also revealed the presence of many 
important bioactive compounds including saponins, tannins and anthraquinones. These surveys have given 
a pointer to the possibility of using Aloe vera extracts for the formulation of skin care and skin remedies.