ABSTRACT

Two medicated soaps and one local soap were investigated for their antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus. Identification of the bacteria species was by standard microbiological techniques which included colonial examination, gram staining, and biochemical testing.

Minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal activities of the soaps were determined by disc agar diffusion method. Black soap has the highest antibacterial activity while branded medicated soap 2 exhibited the least zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus. The soap analyzed has bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects on the test pathogen. The use of local and medicated soaps is thus recommended in homes, schools, offices and hospitals.