Evaluation of Key Antimicrobial Properties of <em>Moringa oleifera</em> in Relation to Its Use as a Hand-Washing Product
<i>Moringa oleifera</i> (<i>M. oleifera</i>) is a fast-growing, drought-resistant plant found throughout tropical and subtropical regions. A previous study found dry <i>M. oleifera</i> leaf powder to be similarly efficacious to non-medicated soap when used as a ha...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2018-08-01
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| Series: | Water |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/10/9/1154 |
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| author | Yasaman Naemi-Baghshomali Clark Monica Jimenez Enrique Raso Loretta Antwi Lawrence H. Ofosu-Appiah David Opare Belen Torondel |
| author_facet | Yasaman Naemi-Baghshomali Clark Monica Jimenez Enrique Raso Loretta Antwi Lawrence H. Ofosu-Appiah David Opare Belen Torondel |
| author_sort | Yasaman Naemi-Baghshomali Clark |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Moringa oleifera</i> (<i>M. oleifera</i>) is a fast-growing, drought-resistant plant found throughout tropical and subtropical regions. A previous study found dry <i>M. oleifera</i> leaf powder to be similarly efficacious to non-medicated soap when used as a hand-wash, even without the use of water. These characteristics suggest that <i>M. oleifera</i> could serve as a potential hand-washing product in water and resource-limited contexts, such as humanitarian and emergency settings. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of minimally processed <i>M. oleifera</i> sourced locally in Ghana as a hand-washing and antimicrobial product by assessing whether: (1) different preparations of <i>M. oleifera</i> have antibacterial properties against potential diarrheal pathogens through set-up of die-off studies; (2) <i>M. oleifera</i> is an effective hand-washing product by conducting an in-vivo trial with healthy volunteers; and (3) <i>M. oleifera</i> has antimicrobial properties in potentially reusable aqueous solutions, such as rinse water used for hand-washing. <i>M. oleifera</i> was found to be significantly less effective than non-medicated soap when tested as a hand-washing product and promoted the growth of bacteria in aqueous solution. Moreover, the <i>Moringa</i> used in the study was found to be host to pathogenic bacteria, reinforcing the idea that it is unsuitable to use as a hand-washing product. Accordingly, in its minimally processed form, <i>M. oleifera</i> appears to be an ineffective antimicrobial agent and its use as a hand-washing product in water-scarce and resource-limited settings is not recommended. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:18:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-68ed9e48bb5e429da28edcfe281310c9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:18:47Z |
| publishDate | 2018-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water |
| spelling | doaj.art-68ed9e48bb5e429da28edcfe281310c92023-12-03T11:50:25ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412018-08-01109115410.3390/w10091154w10091154Evaluation of Key Antimicrobial Properties of <em>Moringa oleifera</em> in Relation to Its Use as a Hand-Washing ProductYasaman Naemi-Baghshomali Clark0Monica Jimenez1Enrique Raso2Loretta Antwi3Lawrence H. Ofosu-Appiah4David Opare5Belen Torondel6Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UKAction Against Hunger—Spain, Madrid 28002, SpainAction Against Hunger—Spain, Madrid 28002, SpainNational Public Health and Reference Laboratory, Ghana Health Service, Accra 00233, GhanaNational Public Health and Reference Laboratory, Ghana Health Service, Accra 00233, GhanaNational Public Health and Reference Laboratory, Ghana Health Service, Accra 00233, GhanaDepartment of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK<i>Moringa oleifera</i> (<i>M. oleifera</i>) is a fast-growing, drought-resistant plant found throughout tropical and subtropical regions. A previous study found dry <i>M. oleifera</i> leaf powder to be similarly efficacious to non-medicated soap when used as a hand-wash, even without the use of water. These characteristics suggest that <i>M. oleifera</i> could serve as a potential hand-washing product in water and resource-limited contexts, such as humanitarian and emergency settings. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of minimally processed <i>M. oleifera</i> sourced locally in Ghana as a hand-washing and antimicrobial product by assessing whether: (1) different preparations of <i>M. oleifera</i> have antibacterial properties against potential diarrheal pathogens through set-up of die-off studies; (2) <i>M. oleifera</i> is an effective hand-washing product by conducting an in-vivo trial with healthy volunteers; and (3) <i>M. oleifera</i> has antimicrobial properties in potentially reusable aqueous solutions, such as rinse water used for hand-washing. <i>M. oleifera</i> was found to be significantly less effective than non-medicated soap when tested as a hand-washing product and promoted the growth of bacteria in aqueous solution. Moreover, the <i>Moringa</i> used in the study was found to be host to pathogenic bacteria, reinforcing the idea that it is unsuitable to use as a hand-washing product. Accordingly, in its minimally processed form, <i>M. oleifera</i> appears to be an ineffective antimicrobial agent and its use as a hand-washing product in water-scarce and resource-limited settings is not recommended.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/10/9/1154<i>Moringa oleifera</i>diarrhoeahand-washingwaterfiltrationfaecal indicator bacteria |
| spellingShingle | Yasaman Naemi-Baghshomali Clark Monica Jimenez Enrique Raso Loretta Antwi Lawrence H. Ofosu-Appiah David Opare Belen Torondel Evaluation of Key Antimicrobial Properties of <em>Moringa oleifera</em> in Relation to Its Use as a Hand-Washing Product Water <i>Moringa oleifera</i> diarrhoea hand-washing water filtration faecal indicator bacteria |
| title | Evaluation of Key Antimicrobial Properties of <em>Moringa oleifera</em> in Relation to Its Use as a Hand-Washing Product |
| title_full | Evaluation of Key Antimicrobial Properties of <em>Moringa oleifera</em> in Relation to Its Use as a Hand-Washing Product |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of Key Antimicrobial Properties of <em>Moringa oleifera</em> in Relation to Its Use as a Hand-Washing Product |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of Key Antimicrobial Properties of <em>Moringa oleifera</em> in Relation to Its Use as a Hand-Washing Product |
| title_short | Evaluation of Key Antimicrobial Properties of <em>Moringa oleifera</em> in Relation to Its Use as a Hand-Washing Product |
| title_sort | evaluation of key antimicrobial properties of em moringa oleifera em in relation to its use as a hand washing product |
| topic | <i>Moringa oleifera</i> diarrhoea hand-washing water filtration faecal indicator bacteria |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/10/9/1154 |
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