Formulation and physical stability test of hand sanitizer based on nutmeg oil (Myristica fragrans Houtt)

Abstract

Abstract The hand is one of the pathways for spreading disease through bacterial contamination, so an antibacterial agent must be applied as a handwashing agent. A practical alternative to washing hands is to use an antiseptic gel. Nutmeg contains active compounds as antibacterial agents. This research aimed to obtain the most suitable formulation of nutmeg oil antiseptic gel as a hand sanitizer. Nutmeg oil antiseptic gel preparations were made in three different formulations with concentrations of 15% (F1), 20% (F2), and 25% (F3). The physical properties stability test of gel included freeze-thaw for stability test, pH, homogeneity, organoleptic, spreadability, and adhesion test. The results showed that the gel was white and had a peculiar smell of nutmeg, the gel form was semisolid, and the pH value was 6. Based on the freeze-thaw test, the preparation is stable in 3 cycles. The results of the spreadability and adhesion tests were influenced by differences in nutmeg oil concentration. That the nutmeg oil concentration of 25% (F3) was found to be the optimal formulation because it meets all the requirements for the physical properties of the gel.