Antimicrobial hand gels have become extremely popular in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Frequent use of hand sanitising gel can lead to dryness and irritation of the skin. This work focuses on the preparation of antimicrobial acrylic acid (Carbomer)-based gels enhanced by non-traditional compounds-mandelic acid and essential oils-as a substitute for irritating ethanol. Physicochemical properties (pH and viscosity), stability and sensory attributes of the prepared gels were investigated. Antimicrobial activity against representative Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts was determined. The prepared gels with mandelic acid and essential oil (cinnamon, clove, lemon, and thyme) proved to have antimicrobial activity and even better organoleptic properties than commercial ethanol-based antimicrobial gel. Further, results confirmed that the addition of mandelic acid had a desirable effect on gel properties (antimicrobial, consistency, stability). It has been shown that the essential oil/mandelic acid combination can be a dermatologically beneficial hand sanitiser compared to commercial products. Thus, the produced gels can be used as a natural alternative to alcohol-based daily hand hygiene sanitisers.

Department of Environmental Protection Engineering Faculty of Technology Tomas Bata University in Zlín Vavrečkova 275 760 01 Zlín Czech Republic

Department of Fat Surfactant and Cosmetics Technology Faculty of Technology Tomas Bata University in Zlín Vavrečkova 275 760 01 Zlín Czech Republic

Department of Polymer Engineering Faculty of Technology Tomas Bata University in Zlín Vavrečkova 275 760 01 Zlín Czech Republic

Zobrazit více v PubMed

O’Sullivan J., Rea M., Hill C., Ross R. Protecting the outside: Biological tools to manipulate the skin microbiota. FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 2020;96:fiaa085. doi: 10.1093/femsec/fiaa085. PubMed DOI

Youn B., Kim Y., Yoo S., Hur M. Antimicrobial and hand hygiene effects of Tea Tree Essential Oil disinfectant: A randomised control trial. Int. J. Clin. Pract. 2021;75:e14206. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14206. PubMed DOI

Barnes T., Mijaljica D., Townley J., Spada F., Harrison I. Vehicles for Drug Delivery and Cosmetic Moisturizers: Review and Comparison. Pharmaceutics. 2021;13:2012. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13122012. PubMed DOI PMC

De Navarre M., Schlossman M. The Chemistry and Manufacture of Cosmetics. 4th ed. Allured Books; Carol Stream, IL, USA: 2009.

Abuga K., Nyamweya N. Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitisers in COVID-19 Prevention: A Multidimensional Perspective. Pharmacy. 2021;9:64. doi: 10.3390/pharmacy9010064. PubMed DOI PMC

Kroschwitz J., Seidel A. Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 5th ed. Wiley-Interscience; Hoboken, NJ, USA: 2007.

Walker J. Decontamination in Hospitals and Healthcare. 2nd ed. Woodhead Publishing; Duxford, UK: 2019. (Woodhead Publishing Series in Biomaterials).

O’Lenick A. Microorganisms and Cosmetics. Allured Business Media; Carol Stream, IL, USA: 2009.

Chemical Disinfectants and Antiseptics—Hygienic Handrub—Test Method and Requirements (phase 2/step 2) iTeh Standards; Etobicoke, ON, Canada: 2013.

Wilson J. Infection Control in Clinical Practice Updated Edition. 3rd ed. Elsevier; London, UK: 2019.

Swamy M., Akhtar M., Sinniah U. Antimicrobial Properties of Plant Essential Oils against Human Pathogens and Their Mode of Action: An Updated Review. Evid.-Based Complement. Altern. Med. 2016;2016:3012462. doi: 10.1155/2016/3012462. PubMed DOI PMC

Valdivieso-Ugarte M., Gomez-Llorente C., Plaza-Díaz J., Gil Á. Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Immunomodulatory Properties of Essential Oils: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2019;11:2786. doi: 10.3390/nu11112786. PubMed DOI PMC

Orchard A., van Vuuren S. Commercial Essential Oils as Potential Antimicrobials to Treat Skin Diseases. Evid.-Based Complement. Altern. Med. 2017;2017:4517971. doi: 10.1155/2017/4517971. PubMed DOI PMC

Dascalu (Rusu) L., Moldovan M., Prodan D., Ciotlaus I., Carpa R., Ene R., Sava S., Chifor R., Badea M. Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of two experimental gels based on essential oils. Stud. Univ. Babeș-Bolyai Chem. 2020;65:57–67. doi: 10.24193/subbchem.2020.2.05. DOI

Berger R., editor. Flavours and Fragrances: Chemistry, Bioprocessing and Sustainability. Springer; Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany: 2007. DOI

Sedlaříková J., Janalíková M., Rudolf O., Pavlačková J., Egner P., Peer P., Varaďová V., Krejčí J. Chitosan/Thyme Oil Systems as Affected by Stabilizing Agent: Physical and Antimicrobial Properties. Coatings. 2019;9:165. doi: 10.3390/coatings9030165. DOI

Sedlaříková J., Doležalová M., Egner P., Pavlačková J., Krejčí J., Rudolf O., Peer P. Effect of Oregano and Marjoram Essential Oils on the Physical and Antimicrobial Properties of Chitosan Based Systems. Int. J. Polym. Sci. 2017;2017:2593863. doi: 10.1155/2017/2593863. DOI

Chouhan S., Sharma K., Guleria S. Antimicrobial Activity of Some Essential Oils—Present Status and Future Perspectives. Medicines. 2017;4:58. doi: 10.3390/medicines4030058. PubMed DOI PMC

Motamedifar M., Bazargani A., Reza Namaz M., Sedigh Ebrahim Sarai H. Antimicrobial Activity of Mandelic Acid Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A Novel Finding with Important Practical Implications. World Appl. Sci. J. 2014;31:925–929. doi: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2014.31.05.2011. DOI

Dębowska R., Kaszuba A., Michalak I., Dzwigałowska A., Cieścińska C., Jakimiuk E., Zielińska J., Kaszuba A. Evaluation of the efficacy and tolerability of mandelic acid-containing cosmetic formulations for acne skin care. Dermatol. Rev. 2015;4:316–321. doi: 10.5114/dr.2015.53419. DOI

Burns J., McCoy C., Irwin N. Synergistic activity of weak organic acids against uropathogens. J. Hosp. Infect. 2021;111:78–88. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.01.024. PubMed DOI

Houben E., De Paepe K., Rogiers V. Skin condition associated with intensive use of alcoholic gels for hand disinfection: A combination of biophysical and sensorial data. Contact Dermat. 2006;54:261–267. doi: 10.1111/j.0105-1873.2006.00817.x. PubMed DOI

Dorman H., Deans S. Antimicrobial agents from plants: Antibacterial activity of plant volatile oils. J. Appl. Microbiol. 2000;88:308–316. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2672.2000.00969.x. PubMed DOI

Pavlátková L., Sedlaříková J., Pleva P., Peer P., Uysal-Unalan I., Janalíková M. Bioactive zein/chitosan systems loaded with essential oils for food-packaging applications. J. Sci. Food Agric. 2022;103:1097–1104. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.11978. PubMed DOI

Goñi P., López P., Sánchez C., Gómez-Lus R., Becerril R., Nerín C. Antimicrobial activity in the vapour phase of a combination of cinnamon and clove essential oils. Food Chem. 2009;116:982–989. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2009.03.058. DOI

Wani A.R., Yadav K., Khursheed A., Rather M.A. An updated and comprehensive review of the antiviral potential of essential oils and their chemical constituents with special focus on their mechanism of action against various influenza and coronaviruses. Microb. Pathog. 2021;152:104620. PubMed PMC

Gallucci M.N., Oliva M., Casero C., Dambolena J., Luna A., Zygadlo J., Demo M. Antimicrobial combined action of terpenes against the food-borne microorganisms Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. Flavour Fragr. J. 2009;24:348–354. doi: 10.1002/ffj.1948. DOI

Bassolé I.H.N., Juliani H.R. Essential Oils in Combination and Their Antimicrobial Properties. Molecules. 2012;17:3989–4006. doi: 10.3390/molecules17043989. PubMed DOI PMC

Rota M., Herrera A., Martínez R., Sotomayor J., Jordán M. Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of Thymus vulgaris, Thymus zygis and Thymus hyemalis essential oils. Food Control. 2008;19:681–687. doi: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2007.07.007. DOI

Ballester-Costa C., Sendra E., Fernández-López J., Viuda-Martos M. Evaluation of the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of chitosan edible films incorporated with organic essential oils obtained from four Thymus species. J. Food Sci. Technol. 2016;53:3374–3379. doi: 10.1007/s13197-016-2312-y. PubMed DOI PMC

Bajpai V., Baek K. Biological Efficacy and Application of Essential Oils in Foods-A Review. J. Essent. Oil Bear. Plants. 2016;19:1–19. doi: 10.1080/0972060X.2014.935033. DOI

Nazzaro F., Fratianni F., De Martino L., Coppola R., De Feo V. Effect of Essential Oils on Pathogenic Bacteria. Pharmaceuticals. 2013;6:1451–1474. doi: 10.3390/ph6121451. PubMed DOI PMC

Alderees F., Mereddy R., Webber D., Nirmal N., Sultanbawa Y. Mechanism of Action against Food Spoilage Yeasts and Bioactivity of Tasmannia lanceolata, Backhousia citriodora and Syzygium anisatum Plant Solvent Extracts. Foods. 2018;7:179. doi: 10.3390/foods7110179. PubMed DOI PMC

Prakash B., Singh P., Kedia A., Dubey N. Assessment of some essential oils as food preservatives based on antifungal, antiaflatoxin, antioxidant activities and in vivo efficacy in food system. Food Res. Int. 2012;49:201–208. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2012.08.020. DOI

Stickler D., Hewett P. Activity of antiseptics against biofilms of mixed bacterial species growing on silicone surfaces. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 1991;10:416–421. doi: 10.1007/BF01968021. PubMed DOI

Edmonds-Wilson S., Nurinova N., Zapka C., Fierer N., Wilson M. Review of human hand microbiome research. J. Dermatol. Sci. 2015;80:3–12. doi: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2015.07.006. PubMed DOI

Castro A., Komora N., Ferreira V., Lira A., Mota M., Silva J., Teixeira P. Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus from nares and hands on health care professionals in a Portuguese Hospital. J. Appl. Microbiol. 2016;121:831–839. doi: 10.1111/jam.13186. PubMed DOI

Salomé Veiga A., Schneider J. Antimicrobial hydrogels for the treatment of infection. Biopolymers. 2013;100:637–644. doi: 10.1002/bip.22412. PubMed DOI PMC

Liu S., Yang C., Huang Y., Ding X., Li Y., Fan W., Hedrick J., Yang Y. Antimicrobial and Antifouling Hydrogels Formed In Situ from Polycarbonate and Poly(ethylene glycol) via Michael Addition. Adv. Mater. 2012;24:6484–6489. doi: 10.1002/adma.201202225. PubMed DOI

Cao B., Tang Q., Li L., Humble J., Wu H., Liu L., Cheng G. Switchable Antimicrobial and Antifouling Hydrogels with Enhanced Mechanical Properties. Adv. Healthc. Mater. 2013;2:1096–1102. doi: 10.1002/adhm.201200359. PubMed DOI

Turek C., Stintzing F. Stability of Essential Oils: A Review. Compr. Rev. Food Sci. Food Saf. 2013;12:40–53. doi: 10.1111/1541-4337.12006. DOI

Villa C., Russo E. Hydrogels in Hand Sanitisers. Materials. 2021;14:1577. doi: 10.3390/ma14071577. PubMed DOI PMC

Estanqueiro M., Amaral M., Sousa Lobo J. Comparison between sensory and instrumental characterisation of topical formulations: Impact of thickening agents. Int. J. Cosmet. Sci. 2016;38:389–398. doi: 10.1111/ics.12302. PubMed DOI

Kulawik-Pióro A., Kurpiewska J., Kułaszka A. Rheological and sensory properties of hydrophilic skin protection gels based on polyacrylates. Int. J. Occup. Saf. Ergon. 2017;24:129–134. doi: 10.1080/10803548.2017.1309167. PubMed DOI

Savary G., Gilbert L., Grisel M., Picard C. Instrumental and sensory methodologies to characterise the residual film of topical products applied to skin. Ski. Res. Technol. 2019;25:415–423. doi: 10.1111/srt.12667. PubMed DOI

Plastics—Resins in the Liquid State or as Emulsions or Dispersions—Determination of Apparent Viscosity Using a Single Cylinder Type Rotational Viscometer Method. ISO; Geneva, Switzerland: 2018.

CLSI Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Disk Susceptibility Tests. Volume 35 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute; Wayne, PA, USA: 2015. Approved Standard—Twelfth Edition.

Jain V., Karibasappa G., Dodamani A., Prashanth V., Mali G. Comparative assessment of antimicrobial efficacy of different hand sanitisers: An in vitro study. Dent. Res. J. 2016;13:424–431. doi: 10.4103/1735-3327.192283. PubMed DOI PMC

CIOMS International Ethical Guidelines for Health-Related Research Involving Humans. [(accessed on 13 January 2023)]. Available online: https://cioms.ch/publications/product/international-ethical-guidelines-for-health-related-research-involving-humans/

Rotter M., Sattar S., Dharan S., Allegranzi B., Mathai E., Pittet D. Methods to evaluate the microbicidal activities of hand-rub and hand-wash agents. J. Hosp. Infect. 2009;73:191–199. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2009.06.024. PubMed DOI

Ochwoto M., Muita L., Talaam K., Wanjala C., Ogeto F., Wachira F., Osman S., Kimotho J., Ndegwa L. Anti-bacterial efficacy of alcoholic hand rubs in the Kenyan market, 2015. Antimicrob. Resist. Infect. Control. 2017;6:17. doi: 10.1186/s13756-017-0174-3. PubMed DOI PMC

Cosmetics Europe . Guidelines on Stability Testing of Cosmetic Products. Cosmetics Europe; Auderghem, Belgium: 2022.

Sensory Analysis—Methodology—General Guidance. ISO; Geneva, Switzerland: 2005.

Sensory Analysis—General Guidance for the Design of Test Rooms. ISO; Geneva, Switzerland: 2007.

Formulating Sustainable Emulsions: Mandelic Acid and Essential Oils as Natural Preservatives