Antimicrobial Activity of Home Disinfectants and Natural Products Against Potential Human Pathogens

Abstract

AbstractObjective:To assess the efficacy of both natural products (vinegar, baking soda) and common commercial disinfectants (Vesphene Ilse, TBQ, Clorox, Lysol Disinfectant Spray, Lysol Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner, Mr. Clean Ultra, ethanol) designed for home or institutional use against potential human pathogens, including selected antibiotic-resistant bacteria.Design:A quantitative suspension test was used to assess the efficacy of selected disinfectants following exposure times of 30 seconds and 5 minutes. Activity was assessed againstStaphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis, Escherichia coli0157:H7, andPseudomonas aeruginosa. Selected disinfectants were also tested against poliovirus, vancomycin-susceptible and -resistantEnterococcusspecies, and methicillin-susceptible and -resistantS aureus.Results:The following compounds demonstrated excellent antimicrobial activity (>5.6-8.2 log10reduction) at both exposure times: TBQ, Vesphene, Clorox, ethanol, and Lysol Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner. Mr. Clean eliminated 4 to >6 logs10and Lysol Disinfectant ~4 logs10of pathogenic microorganisms at both exposure times. Vinegar eliminated <3 logs10ofS aureusandE coli, and baking soda <3 logs10of all test pathogens. All tested chemical disinfectants completely inactivated both antibiotic-resistant and -susceptible bacteria at both exposure times. Only two disinfectants, Clorox and Lysol, demonstrated excellent activity (>3 log10reduction) against poliovirus.Conclusions:A variety of commercial household disinfectants were highly effective against potential bacterial pathogens. The natural products were less effective than commercial household disinfectants. Only Clorox and Lysol disinfectant were effective against poliovirus