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Liquid soap dispensers are widely used in domestic and clinical settings. In previous studies, the risk of bacterial contamination of refillable systems was pointed out and a bacterial contamination rate of 25%, with values of up to 108 colony-forming units/mL (CFU/mL), was reported. However, the route of contamination remains elusive. To address this point, we determined the microbial contamination of refillable standard pump dispensers and nonrefillable press-dispenser systems. Following the collection of 104 liquid soap dispensers from hotel rooms across Germany, bacterial counts were determined. Isolates of samples containing nonfastidious Gram-negative(lac-) bacteria were further analyzed by the Vitek 2 system for the determination of species. 70.2% of the refillable pump dispensers (mean total bacterial count = 2.2 × 105 CFU/mL) but only 10.6% of the nonrefillable press dispensers, were contaminated (mean total bacterial count = 1.5 × 101 CFU/mL). Of samples containing nonfastidious Gram-negative(lac-) bacteria, Pluralibacter gergoviae was present in 41.7%, Pseudomonads (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas putida) in 25%, Serratia marcescens in 16.7%, and Klebsiella oxytoca and Pasteurella testudinis in 8.3%. After the initial assessment, we contaminated different dispensing systems with P. aeruginosa/P. gergoviae, to reveal the route of contamination and identied the pressure release of standard pump dispensers as the loophole for microbial contamination.

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OBJECTIVE: The excessive use of plastic packaging, even though it is possible to recycle it, is one of the main causes of global warming. In this study, dissolvable shower gel tablets for multiple uses have been developed in order to reduce the use of fresh plastic packaging. METHODS: The appropriate ratio of two surfactants, cocoyl glutamic acid (CGA) and sodium coco sulphate (SCS), was optimized using design of experiments. Additionally, skin hydration of the emollient either omega oil or glycerine was taken into account when determining its concentration. After that, powdered shower gel formulations were made and tested for their properties, including cleaning power, and foamability. On 30 human volunteers, the effects of reconstituted shower gel on skin redness, cleaning effectiveness and overall satisfaction were evaluated. RESULTS: The study found that, when cleaning power and foam height were taken into account, the proper surfactant ratio was 7.5:0 (SCS:CGA). The 5% glycerine shower gel formula demonstrated significantly greater skin hydration than other formulas. The in vivo study's findings demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference between selected formulas (5% glycerine and 2.5% omega oil) in terms of cleaning ability. Comparing both formulas to the control, neither showed any skin redness. Additionally, it was discovered that the developed products were much more effective at cleaning and easier to use when washing for the volunteers than regular liquid soap. Overall satisfaction and the moisturizing feel were not significantly different among all products. CONCLUSION: The formula with 7.5% SCS and 5% glycerine is said to be the best one for both cleaning ability and moisturizing effect. These findings suggest that dissolvable shower gel tablets with enhanced skin benefits could offer a promising innovation in the personal care industry.

OBJECTIF: L'utilisation excessive d'emballages en plastique, même s'il est possible de les recycler, est l'une des principales causes du réchauffement climatique. Dans cette étude, des pastilles de gel douche soluble à usages multiples ont été développées afin de réduire l'utilisation d'emballages plastiques. MÉTHODES: Le rapport approprié de deux tensioactifs, l'acide cocoyl glutamique (CGA) et le sulfate de coco sodique (SCS), a été optimisé à l'aide d'un plan d'expériences. De plus, l'hydratation de la peau par l'émollient, soit l'huile omega ou la glycérine, a été prise en compte lors de la détermination de sa concentration. Après cela, des formulations de gel douche en poudre ont été fabriquées et testées pour leurs propriétés, notamment leur pouvoir nettoyant et leur capacité à mousser. Sur 30 volontaires humains, les effets du gel douche reconstitué sur les rougeurs cutanées, l'efficacité nettoyante et la satisfaction globale ont été évalués. RÉSULTATS: L'étude a révélé que, lorsque la puissance de nettoyage et la hauteur de mousse étaient prises en compte, le rapport de surfactant approprié était de 7,5:0 (SCS:CGA). La formule du gel douche a 5 % de glycérine a démontré une hydratation de la peau nettement supérieure à celle des autres formules. Les résultats de l'étude in vivo ont démontré qu'il n'y avait pas de différence statistiquement significative entre les formules sélectionnées (5 % de glycérine et 2,5 % d'huile oméga) en termes de pouvoir nettoyant. En comparant les deux formules au contrôle, aucune n'a montré de rougeur cutanée. De plus, il a été découvert que les produits développés étaient beaucoup plus efficaces pour le nettoyage et plus faciles à utiliser lors du lavage pour les volontaires que le savon liquide ordinaire. La satisfaction globale et la sensation d'hydratation n'étaient pas significativement différentes entre tous les produits. CONCLUSION: La formule avec 7,5 % de SCS et 5 % de glycérine est considérée comme la meilleure pour la capacité de nettoyage et l'effet hydratant. Ces résultats suggèrent que les comprimés de gel douche solubles avec des bienfaits améliorés pour la peau pourraient offrir une innovation prometteuse dans l'industrie des soins personnels.

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Tagetes patula L. (Asteraceae), popularmente conhecida como cravo de defunto ou cravo francês, é utilizada na medicina popular como antisséptica, depurativa do sangue e repelente de insetos. O presente estudo avaliou a atividade antisséptica de sabonete líquido contendo extrato glicólico de T. patula 7,5% (p/v). O extrato glicólico foi obtido por turbo-extração utilizando propilenoglicol e etanol (7:3; v/v) a 10 % (p/v). A avaliação fitoquímica preliminar da droga vegetal indicou a presença de compostos fenólicos e teor de flavonoides de 5,73% ± 0,19 (CV = 3,33%). No teste para avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana houve a inibição do crescimento de Staphylococcus aureus na concentração de avaliada.

Tagetes patula L. (Asteraceae), or French marigold, known in Brazil as cravo-de-defunto, is used in folk medicine as antiseptic, blood thinner and insect repellent. Current study analyzes the antiseptic activity of the liquid soap with the glycolic extract of T.patula 7.5% (p/v). Glycolic extract was obtained by turbo-extraction with propylenoglycol and ethanol (7:3; v/v) 10 % (p/v). Preliminary photochemical evaluation of the vegetal drug showed phenolic compounds and flavonoid rates at 5.73% ± 0.19 (CV = 3.33%). When the pharmaceutical formulation was evaluated for antimicrobial activity, growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus occurred at the assessed concentration.

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BACKGROUND: Liquid antimicrobial soaps are commonly used in the dental health care setting for hand washing to minimize the potential spread of infectious agents to health care workers and patients. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate possible bacterial contamination of antimicrobial liquid soap dispensers located in 2 institutional comprehensive dental care clinics. METHODS: Fourteen soap dispensers and 16 original stock containers were sampled. A 1-milliliter aliquot was diluted in 10 mL of phosphate buffer (Tween-80; Acros). Serial dilutions were plated in duplicate on neutralizing agar and incubated for 7 days. Molecular identification was performed using 500 base pair comparisons of 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid sequencing. Taq polymerase chain reaction was performed with sequence-specific primers for Raoultella species. RESULTS: Bacterial growth was observed at 18 hours for 57% (8 of 14) of soap dispenser samples. Bacterial densities ranged from 4 × 10(2) to 6 × 10(9) colony-forming units per milliliter. Original commercial containers exhibited no growth. Isolates were identified as Raoultella (Klebsiella) planticola. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to the authors' knowledge indicating recovery of R. planticola from antimicrobial liquid soap dispensers. R. planticola is a recognized environmental opportunistic pathogen that potentially poses a health concern. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: These findings indicate compliance problems with infection prevention recommendations and support the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation that dispensers should not be topped off. High bacterial loads of R. planticola are inconsistent with infection control practices and are a concern because transmission and possible infection to the health care worker or the patient may occur.

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This article reports the contamination of a batch of liquid soap for hospital use with Raoultella planticola. The micro-organism was first identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae due to the inability of automated systems to characterize this species. There is a need to strengthen the inspection of cosmetic products to be used in the hospital setting. It is recommended that hospitalized patients at the highest risk of infection should use antimicrobial soaps for personal hygiene. The incidence of infections due to R. planticola is unknown as it is usually misclassified as Klebsiella spp. by automated systems.

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A pele e as mucosas constituem defesa natural do corpo frente à invasão de microrganismos, que podem estar presentes na superfície cutânea constituindo a biota normal de defesa ou contaminante. Para remoção desses últimos, se faz necessário o uso de substâncias antissépticas, que combinadas com a lavagem simples, conferem descontaminação eficiente da pele. As farmácias de manipulação já estão aptas para desenvolver veículos de bom sensorial, e a eles incorporar os mais diversos ativos. Com a realização desse trabalho objetivou-se desenvolver um de sabonete líquido, com um ativo já comprovadamente eficaz na assepsia das mãos, a clorexidina. Foram elaboradas duas fórmulas levando-se em consideração as incompatibilidades usuais da clorexidina com produtos de características aniônicas. Optou-se, então, por tensoativos com características não iônicas e pelo gel de hidroxietilcelulose. Posteriormente, as formulações foram submetidas a estudos de estabilidade físico-químicos: densidade, viscosidade, pH, características organolépticas (aspecto, cor e odor). Em seguida as amostras foram mantidas em geladeira (-5ºC±2ºC), estufa (45ºC±2ºC) e em temperatura ambiente (25°C±2ºC). As formulações apresentaram alterações somente quando submetidas à temperatura elevada.

The skin and mucous membranes form a natural barrier against the invasion of harmful microorganisms. The elimination of these microorganisms from the skin surface requires the use of antiseptic substances, which combined with simple washing, provide efficient decontamination of the skin. Current compounding pharmacies are capable of developing vehicles with attractive sensorial properties and the incorporation of different active ingredients. The aim of the present study was to develop a liquid soap containing chlorhexidine, which has proven antiseptic effectiveness. Considering the usual incompatibility of chlorhexidine with products displaying anionic characteristics, two formulas were developed – one containing surfactants with non-ionic characteristics and one containing hydroxyethyl cellulose gel. The formulations were submitted to physicochemical studies of density, viscosity, pH and organoleptic characteristics (appearance, color and odor). Samples were then stored under different temperature conditions: refrigerator (-5 ± 2 ºC), greenhouse (45 ± 2 ºC) and room temperature (25 ± 2 ºC). The formulations only exhibited changes when submitted to high temperature.

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Hand hygiene is one of the most important measures to prevent transmission of infectious agents and plays a major role in prevention of infection in any type of healthcare setting. While requirements for the efficacy of hand disinfectants are defined in European testing norms such as the EN 1500 for hygienic hand disinfection or EN 12791 for surgical hand preparation, no specific recommendations for hand rub dispensers and liquid soap dispensers have been given yet. Therefore, the intention of the present recommendation on soap and hand rub dispensers in healthcare facilities is to close this gap and to enhance future improvement of dispenser functionality and design. Regardless of manufacture and design of a hand rub or liquid soap dispensers the following requirements shall be met in healthcare facilities:Triggering the dispenser must be possible without using hands. Sensor- or elbow-operated dispensers both fulfill this requirement. Dispensers must be only refillable in a modality where the content, be it a hand rub or liquid soap, cannot be contaminated. This is achieved best by using replaceable cartridge systems. Refilling through "top-up" must not be possible. The disperser should allow usage of different types of cartridges made by different manufacturers. Dispensers must be operated and maintained such that a microbial contamination of the pump nozzle may easily be avoided. It must be possible to identify the products used in a dispenser easily and without any manipulation. Identifying the type of product, be it a hand rub or a liquid soap, as well as reading the product's name and critical manufacturers' warnings must be possible at any time. The disperser must allow identification of the level of the used product without any further manipulation at any time. The design of the dispenser must allow easy cleaning and disinfection the outside and inside of the dispenser. The manufacturer of the dispenser must provide the user with information on applicable chemicals and cleaning products. It must be possible to reprocess the dispenser and all of its permanent parts by applying machine based thermal disinfection at an A(0)-value of minimum 60 (e.g. 80°C/1 minute). Automatically portioning dispensers shall not fail during 200 hubs. The maximal allowed failure rate shall not exceed 1% (2 out of 200 consecutive hubs). A dispenser used for alcohol based hand rubs must allow keeping the alcohol concentration constant over a time period of 3 months. The maximum acceptable decrease in the concentration of the alcohol shall not exceed 5%. Liquid soap and hand rub dispensers with single-use pumps, ideally already mounted on the cartridge and to be discharged with the empty cartridge, are preferable. If pumps are used on the next consecutive cartridge, the manufacturer must provide the user with a detailed introduction for cleansing and reprocessing before further use. Because of forensic reasons it is recommended to place a good readable sign on the dispenser indicating e.g. "Apply alcohol based hand rubs only on the hand! Do not drink, avoid spraying into the eye or application on mucous membranes". It is regarded as an additional benefit, if the dispenser is able to document the consumption of hand rub or the frequency of hubs either mechanically or electronically.

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Dimorphandra mollis Benth., Composita e, falso barbatimão, é utilizada topicamente como cicatrizante, adstringente e antimicrobiano. No presente estudo, verificou-se a atividade antibacteriana de sabonete líquido contendo extrato glicólico de D. mollis (EGD) em diferentes concentrações (8, 15 e 20%) e em diferentes pHs (6 e 8). Foram preparadas cinco formulações (F) de sabonete: F1 - triclosan (0,1%), F2 - EGD (8%), F3- EGD (15%), F4 - EGD (20%) e F5 - sem conservante. Cascas de D. mollis foram secas em estufa de ar circulante e pulverizadas. Os extratos brutos foram preparados por turbo-extração utilizando-se etanol. Após filtração, os extratos foram concentrados em evaporador rotatório, liofilizados e ressuspendidos em propilenoglicol para a obtenção do extrato glicólico. A atividade antibacteriana foi verificada pelo método de difusão em ágar, empregando cilindros em placa. Placas contendo Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Escherichia coli foram incubadas a 37ºC durante 24 horas. Após incubação, as leituras foram realizadas com paquímetro, observando-se o diâmetro do halo de inibição de crescimento bacteriano. Verificou-se que o sabonete líquido contendo triclosan provocou inibição do crescimento bacteriano em ambos os pHs; já os sabonetes sem conservante e contendo EGD, independente da concentração e do pH empregados, não apresentaram atividade antibacteriana.

Dimorphandra mollis Benth., Compositae, false barbatimão, has been used topically as a healing, astringent and antibacterial. In this study, antibacterial activity was verified on liquid soap containing glycolic extract of D. mollis (DGE) at different concentrations (8, 15 and 20%) and at different pH levels (6 and8). Five soap formulations (F) were prepared: F1 -tryclosan (0.1%), F2 - DGE (8%), F3 - DGE (15%),F4 - DGE (20%) and F5 - without preservatives. Bark of D. mollis were dried in a circulating air oven and ground. The rude extracts were prepared by turboextraction with ethanol. After screening, the extract were concentrated in rotating evaporator, lyophilized and resuspended in propileneglycol to obtain the glycolic extract. The antimicrobial activity was verified by diffusion in agar method, using cylinder in plate. Plates containing Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli were incubated at 37ºC for 24 hours. After incubation, the results were analysed with a pachy meter, observing the bacterial grouth inhibition halo diameter. It was verified that the liquid soap containing tryclosan caused on inhibition of bacterial growth at both pH levels; the soaps without preservatives and containing DGE, independently of the concentration and pH levels used, did not present antibacterial activity.

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