Potassium aluminium sulphate (Alum) inhibits growth of human axillary malodor producing skin flora in vitro

• Main Authors: Hassanain Al-Talib, Nur Izzati Syamimi Mohd Nasir, Hafizuddin Yaziz, Nur Fatihah Zulkafli, Nur Aqidah Adani, Ahmad Ikhwan Noor Rashidi, Chandrika Murugaiah, Syahrul Azlin Shaari
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: Universiti Teknologi MARA 2016
• Subjects: R Medicine (General)
• Online Access: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/27535/1/Potassium%20aluminium%20sulphate%20%28Alum%29%20inhibits%20growth%20of%20human%20axillary%20malodor%20producing%20skin%20flora%20in%20vitro%20ABSTRACT.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/27535/2/Potassium%20aluminium%20sulphate%20%28Alum%29%20inhibits%20growth%20of%20human%20axillary%20malodor%20producing%20skin%20flora%20in%20vitro%20FULL%20TEXT.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/27535/; https://jchs-medicine.uitm.edu.my/images/manuscript/original_articles/p59-63/Potassium-Aluminium-Sulphate-Alum-Inhibits-Growth-of-Human-Axillary-Malodor-Producing-Skin-Flora-In-Vitro.pdf
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Introduction: Axillary malodor is caused by microbial biotransformation of non-smelling molecules present in apocrine secretions, into volatile odorous molecules. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial activities of potassium aluminium salts (alum) against four malodor-producing axillary bacterial flora, as an alternative natural product for reducing axillary malodor. Methods: The antimicrobial activity of alum against axillary bacterial flora [Micrococcus luteus (ATCC 49732) (M. luteus), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 14990) (S. epidermidis), Corynebacterium xerosis (ATCC BAA-1293) C. xerosis and Bacilus subtilis (ATCC 19659) (B. subtilis)], was tested in vitro using broth dilution method for different concentrations (0.937 – 20mg/mL) on Luria-Bertani broth. Subculture was done to determine colony-forming units (CFUs) and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Results: Alum showed excellent inhibitory effects on all tested bacteria. The lowest MIC of alum was against C. xerosis, at 1.88 mg/mL. M. luteus, B. subtilis and S.epidermidis showed a higher MIC of 3.75, 5.00 and 7.50 mg/mL, respectively. All of the tested bacteria were completely inhibited at a concentration of 7.50 mg/mL. Conclusions: This study revealed that alum has excellent antimicrobial effects against axillary malodor -producing bacteria and is recommended to be used either directly by topical application or as an active ingredient in deodorants and antiperspirants.