Abstract
This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial action of three soaps for hand hygiene (HH): 2.0% Tea Tree Oil (TTO); 0.5% triclosan; 2.0% chlorhexidine, and to explore the perception of healthcare professionals about TTO. Two-step study: a quantitative, to determine the logarithmic reduction of Escherichia coli K12 colony-forming units before and after HH of 15 volunteers and quali-quantitative, through interviews with 23 health professionals. All the three products demonstrated antimicrobial action (a log10 reduction factor of 4.18 for TTO, 4.31 for triclosan, 3.89 for chlorhexidine, and 3.17 for reference soap). Professionals remarked the pleasant aroma and non-dryness of skin when using soap containing TTO.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- TTO:
-
Tea tree oil
- HH:
-
Hand hygiene
- CHG:
-
Chlorhexidine gluconate
- CSD:
-
Collective Subject Discourse
- SS:
-
Soft soap
References
Peters A, Borzykowski T, Tartari E, Kilpatrick C, Mai SHC, Allegranzi B, Pittet D (2019) Clean care for all – it's in your hands: the May 5th, 2019 World Health Organization SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign. J Infect 78:409–421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2019.04.008
Brun P, Bernabè G, Filippini R, Piovan A (2019) In vitro antimicrobial activities of commercially available Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oils. Curr Microbiol. 76:108–116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-018-1594-x
Chin KB, Cordell B (2013) The effect of tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) on wound healing using a dressing model. J Altern Complement Med. 19:942–945. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2012.0787
Flores FC, De Lima JA, Da Silva CR, Benvegnú D, Ferreira J, Burger ME et al (2015) Hydrogels containing nanocapsules and nanoemulsions of Tea Tree oil provide antiedematogenic effect and improved skin wound healing. J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 15:800–809. https://doi.org/10.1166/jnn.2015.9176
Blackwood B, Thompson G, McMullan R, Stevenson M, Riley TV, Alderdice FA et al (2013) Tea tree oil (5%) body wash versus standard care (Johnson’s Baby Softwash) to prevent colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in critically ill adults: a randomized controlled trial. J Antimicrob Chemother. 68:1193–1199. https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dks501
Messager S, Hammer KA, Carson CF, Riley TV (2005) Effectiveness of hand-cleansing formulations containing tea tree oil assessed ex vivo on human skin and in vivo with volunteers using European standard EN 1499. J Hosp Infect. 59:220–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2004.06.032
Gnatta JR, Pinto FMG, Bruna CQM, Souza RQ, Graziano KU, Silva MJP (2013) Comparison of antimicrobial efficacy for hand hygiene: essential oil Melaleuca alternifolia versus triclosan. Rev Latino-am Enfermagem. 21:1212–1219. https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1169.2957.2356
European Committee for Standardization (2013) BS EN 1499:2013. Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics – hygienic handwash – test method and requirements (phase2/step2). Brussels, Belgium
Australian Tea Tree Oil AS 2782–2017 (2017) Standards. Oil of Melaleuca, terpinen-4-ol type. Sydney, Australia
International Organization for Standardization (2107) ISO 4730:2017 specifies certain characteristics of the essential oil of Melaleuca, terpin-4-ol type (Tea Tree oil), in order to facilitate assessment of its quality. Geneva
International Organization for Standardization (2006) ISO 21149:2006 Cosmetics – Microbiology – Enumeration and detection of aerobic mesophilic bacteria. Geneva
International Organization for Standardization (2006) ISO 21150:2006 Cosmetics – Microbiology – Detection of Escherichia coli. Geneva
International Organization for Standardization (2006) ISO 22717:2006 Cosmetics – Microbiology – Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Geneva
International Organization for Standardization (2006) ISO 22718:2006 Cosmetics – Microbiology – Detection of Staphylococcus aureus. Geneva
Lefèvre F, Lefèvre AMC (2014) Discourse of the collective subject: social representations and communication interventions. Texto Contexto Enferm. 23:502–507. https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072014000000014
Klymenko I, Kampf G (2015) Systemic mistakes in hand hygiene practice in Ukraine: detection, consequences and ways of elimination. GMS Hyg Infect Control 10:Doc01. https://doi.org/10.3205/dgkh000244
World Health Organization (2009) A guide to implementation of the WHO multimodal hand hygiene improvement strategy: tools and resources. WHO, Geneva http://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/tools/en/index.html Accessed 28 June 2020
Acknowledgements
The soaps containing triclosan and chlorhexidine were donated by the company Rioquímica. The manufacture of soap containing TTO was carried out by chemical engineer Eliane Vasconcellos Dornellas.
Funding
This study was supported by the Foundation for Research Support of the State of São Paulo (FAPESP) (Grant No. 2013/23008-7)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethics approval
All the procedures were in accordance with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments.
Informed consent
Informed consent was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the School of Nursing and the University Hospital of the University of São Paulo (CAAE 20479413.2.0000.5392).
Additional information
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Information
ESM 1
(DOC 126 kb)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gnatta, J.R., de Brito Poveda, V., Padoveze, M.C. et al. Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil soap: a potential alternative for hand hygiene. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 40, 1517–1520 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-021-04190-w
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-021-04190-w