A novel antimicrobial Moist-Towelette inhibits aerobic bacteria, yeast, and mold-fungus growth on human skin.

A novel antimicrobial moist towelette was selected to determine if, after a single application, it inhibited aerobic bacteria, yeasts, molds, and fungal proliferation on human skin. This moist towelette carries a host of natural anti-microbial substances found in peppermint oil, basil oil, bay oil, tea tree oil, and clove oil.

Anti-Microbial Properties

A powdered version of the ingredients in this same towelette has been reported to significantly inhibit microbial proliferation on human skin. (1) Peppermint oil has been reported to generate antibacterial effects. (2) Both clove and basil tested show antimicrobial effects on gram-negative detrimental bacteria Shigella flexneri. Eugenol is the antiviral substance found both in clove and bay oils. Clove oil is the greatest source of eugenol (70.9% eugenol). Virucidal effects from eugenol have been reported to inhibit herpes virus replication in vitro. (3-4) Tea tree oil has been shown to inhibit or kill many detrimental micro-organisms such as Eschericia coli, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Propionibacterium acnes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus pyogenes, detrimental fungi on the skin, Candida albicans, Pityrosporum ovale, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, detrimental protozoa, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1-2. (5-16)

Antimicrobial Mechanism from a Moist Towelette

Some herbs in the plant kingdom defend their health by generating substances within and especially without to inhibit invasive microbial proliferation. A proprietary skin treatment compound was formulated with several herbal substances including aromatic volatile oils to reduce unabated microbial growth colonization. This proprietary natural antimicrobial compound is formulated within a pre-moistened enclosed towelette to inhibit microbial proliferation on skin surface. To test this hypothesis, incubation of the pre-test sample was taken from an untreated area. The same skin surface was then towelette treated, allowed to air dry, prior to taking post-test swab samples from the same area. All samples were then incubated to determine the effect of towelette-application upon proliferation of aerobic bacteria (AB) and yeast mold-fungus (YM).

Method

A single female subject (64 yr) fasted foot washing or air exposure for 48 hours. This subject's sock-covered foot was first pretest swab-sampled for AB and YM microbial counts. Immediately following, a single towelette was thoroughly applied to the same skin surface, permitted to air dry, prior to taking second AB and YM swab samples. Both collected swab samples were incubated at 25-30[degrees]C for 30 hrs. to determine AB count and 72 hrs. to determine YM count. At the end of incubation time, microbial measure of proliferation per square inch skin surface or in per milliliter solution were recorded using Biosan Laboratories Sani[check]CheckAB & Sani[check]CheckYM test system.

Conclusion

A single thorough application of one towelette inhibited AB proliferation in an ideal growth-enhancing environment by a factor of 1000 times and inhibited YM proliferation in an enclosed growth-enhancing environment a factor of 100 times (Figure 1). A single application of a towelette on human skin surfaces, in this case-study subject, inhibited microbial proliferation of aerobic bacteria, yeast, mold, and fungus growths, ranging from 100-1000 times less, compared to skin surfaces left untreated. Further studies on additional subjects suffering from a variety of microbial skin disorders are warranted to determine if this report has merit in larger populations.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The antimicrobial Moist-Towelette product, "Cozy Clean Hand Sanitizer," was donated for this research by COZY Bear Natural Products, P.O. Box 1105, Chewelah, Washington 99109, 509-937-2699.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

The author funded this research and has no competing interests.

Bill Misner, PhD

West 1140 Glass Avenue

Spokane, Washington 99205

509-327-5817

[e-mail]

Notes

1. Misner BD. A novel aromatic oil compound inhibits microbial overgrowth 

on feet: a case study. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. July 13, 2007; 4:3. Available at: http://www.jissn.com/content/pdf/1550-2783-4-3.pdf. Accessed February 27, 2008.

2. Logan AC, et al. The treatment of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth with enteric-coated peppermint oil: A case report. Altern Med Rev. 2002;7(5):410-417.

3. Bagamboula CF, et al. Antimicrobial effect of spices and herbs on Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri. J Food Prot. 2003;66(4):668-673.

4. Benencia F, et al. In vitro and in vivo activity of eugenol on human herpes virus. Phytotherapy Research. 2000;14(7):495-500.

5. Altman PM. Australian tea tree oil. Pharm. 1988;69:276-278.

6. Banes-Marshall L, et al. In vitro activity of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil against bacterial and Candida spp. isolates from clinical specimens. Br J Biomed Sci. 2001;58(3):139-145.

7. Carson CF, et al. Antimicrobial activity of the major components of the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia. Journal of Applied Bacteriology. 1995;78(3):264-269.

8. Christoph F, et al. A comparative study of the in vitro antimicrobial activity of tea tree oils s.l. with special reference to the activity of b-triketones. Planta Medica. 2000;66(6).

9. Hammer KA, et al. In vitro activity of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil against dermatophytes and other filamentous fungi. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2002;50(2):195-199.

10. Harkenthal M, et al. Effect of Australian tea tree oil on the viability of the wall-less bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Pharmazie. 2000;55(5):380-384.

11. Kulik E, et al. [Antimicrobial effects of tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) on oral microorganisms]. Schweiz Monatsschr Zahnmed. 2000;110(11):125-130.

12. Pena EF. Melaleuca alternifolia oil. Its use for trichomonal vaginitis and other vaginal infections. Obstet Gynecol. 1962; 19:793-795.

13. Raman A, et al. Antimicrobial effects of tea-tree oil and its major components on Staphylococcus aureus, Staph. epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes. Lett Appl Microbiol. 1995;21(4):242-245.

14. Satchell AC, et al. Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002;47(6):852-855.

15. Schnitzler P, et al. Antiviral activity of Australian tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil against herpes simplex virus in cell culture. Pharmazie. 2001;56(4):343-347.

16. Walker M. Clinical investigation of Australian Melaleuca alternifolia oil for a variety of common foot problems. Curr Podiatry. 1972;18:30-35.

Bill Misner, PhD, is an AAMA Board-Certified Alternative Medicine Practitioner.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

by Bill Misner, PhD

Figure 1: Test Results

Measure             No-CB Application            Post-CB Application

Aerobic Bacteria    1000,000 per square inch/ml  100 per square inch/ml
Yeast, Mold-fungus  10,000 per square inch/ml    100 per square inch/ml