Naomi Dwi Cahyanti, Whisnu Trie Seno Ajie

EVALUASI AKTIVITAS ANTIBAKTERI SABUN VCO pH NETRAL TERHADAP BAKTERI Staphylococcus aureus DAN Escherichia coli

Introduction

Evaluasi aktivitas antibakteri sabun vco ph netral terhadap bakteri staphylococcus aureus dan escherichia coli. Uji efektivitas sabun VCO pH netral terhadap bakteri Staphylococcus aureus & Escherichia coli. Menunjukkan aktivitas antibakteri luas, aman untuk kulit, ideal untuk higienitas harian.

Abstract

Liquid bath soap is widely used as an antiseptic in daily activities, but its generally high pH can erode the skin’s protective barrier and reduce comfort. Saponification is the reaction between a strong base and fatty acids. Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), which contains lauric acid, is known for its antibacterial properties. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of VCO-based liquid soap and compare its antibacterial effectiveness against two structurally different bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The research employed a post-test only experimental design with descriptive-quantitative data collection. The stages included organoleptic evaluation, pH measurement, viscosity, specific gravity, and foam height testing. Only samples that fulfilled standard soap characteristics were further tested using the Kirby-Bauer diffusion method. Results showed that the soap met physical requirements, exhibiting a liquid texture, gray color, vanilla aroma, pH 7.08, viscosity of 1370 mPas, specific gravity of 1.01 g/mL, and foam height of 2 cm. The neutral-pH VCO soap demonstrated antibacterial activity against both S. aureus and E. coli. Statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney test yielded an Asymp.Sig value of 0.083, indicating no significant difference between the antibacterial effects, suggesting broad antibacterial coverage. These findings support the potential of VCO soap for daily hygiene.

Review

This manuscript presents a compelling evaluation of a neutral-pH liquid soap formulated with Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), addressing the prevalent issue of high pH in conventional liquid soaps that can compromise skin barrier integrity. The study effectively leverages the well-known antibacterial properties of VCO, particularly its lauric acid content, to develop a potentially more skin-friendly yet effective daily hygiene product. The central finding – that the developed VCO soap not only meets standard physical specifications but also exhibits significant broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against both *Staphylococcus aureus* and *Escherichia coli* – is highly relevant and promising. The research employed a systematic approach, beginning with a post-test only experimental design and descriptive-quantitative data collection. Thorough physical characterization was conducted, assessing organoleptic properties (liquid texture, gray color, vanilla aroma), pH (7.08), viscosity (1370 mPas), specific gravity (1.01 g/mL), and foam height (2 cm). These results confirm the formulation's adherence to established soap standards. Subsequently, the antibacterial efficacy was rigorously tested using the Kirby-Bauer diffusion method against two clinically important bacteria. The demonstration of antibacterial activity against both *S. aureus* and *E. coli*, coupled with a Mann-Whitney statistical analysis (Asymp.Sig = 0.083) suggesting no significant difference in effect between the bacterial types, robustly supports the claim of broad antibacterial coverage. Overall, this study makes a valuable contribution to the field of hygiene product development by successfully demonstrating the potential of a neutral-pH, VCO-based liquid soap as an effective antiseptic for daily use. The comprehensive physical characterization and the clear demonstration of broad-spectrum antibacterial activity are key strengths. The proposed solution directly addresses a significant consumer need for skin-friendly products without compromising efficacy. For future research, it would be beneficial to explore the long-term stability of the formulation, conduct in-vivo clinical trials to assess skin compatibility and efficacy in real-world conditions, and potentially expand the antibacterial spectrum against a wider range of relevant pathogens. Nevertheless, the current findings strongly support the integration of VCO into daily hygiene formulations.

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