A comparison of the antibacterial activity of some African black soaps and medicated soaps commonly used for the treatment of bacteria - infected wound

Soap may be defined as a chemical compound resulting from the interaction of fatty acids, oils and salt (Friedman & Wolf 1996). It is a cleaning agent made by the chemical action of alkali on fats or fatty acids to yield the sodium or potassium salts of these acids (Considine 1974). It possesses properties that may include wetting and emulsifying power, surface tension lowering and gel formation as well as acting as both active medication and vehicle for the incorporation of other active substances (Grayson 1983). In the treatment of skin diseases, it causes cooling, drying, hydration, crust and scale removal (Schwartz 1979). Although bacteria that attack human body are of great importance with reference to health, Fuls et al. (2008) reported the inhibitory potential of antimicrobial and non-antimicrobial soaps in clinical cases. Larson et al. (1987) and Toshima et al. (2001) indicated that soaps containing antimicrobial active ingredients could remove more bacteria as compared to plain soap, and Osborne and Grube (1982) had earlier reported that antibacterial containing soaps can remove 65% to 85% bacteria inhabiting human skin. When used properly, washing with soap could reduce Propiobacterium acnes and prevent secondary infections in acne skin (Kuehl et al. 2003) and healthcare-associated transmission of contagious diseases more effectively (Arya et al. 2005).