Effect of Deordorant on Microflora of the Armpit of Uniben Female Students

Abstract

Deodorants are substances formulated for the purpose of eliminating armpit odor but not perspiration. They typically consist of alcohol. When applied, they make the skin acidic, preventing the proliferation of bacteria. This study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the effects of deodorant on microflora of the armpit. The study lasted for one month which was divided into two phases; Phase one consist of two weeks without deodorant usage and phase two consist of two weeks of deodorant usage. Axillae swabs were collected from 20 female students of the University of Benin. Samples were cultured and incubated at 37 °C both aerobically and anaerobically for 24 - 48 hours on Chocolate, Blood and MacConkey agars. The brand of deodorant used was 'Bouquet Deodorant'. Antibiotic susceptibility test was done on nutrient agar using the disc diffusion method of Bauer and Kirby. The isolates identified consist of Staphylococcus albus which was the predominant organism and accounted for 52.4 % and 50 % of the bacteria isolates for the first and second weeks respectively. Other bacteria isolated include Staphylococcus aureus (42.9 % and 46.1 %) and Klebsiella spp. (4.7 % and 3.9 %) respectively for the successive two weeks. All the isolates showed some degree of susceptibility to impenem, gentamycin, ofloxacin, erythromycin, cloxacilin, amoxilillin and clavulanate. Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella showed some degree of susceptibility to cefuroxime while Staphylococcus albus was resistant. All the isolated showed some degree of susceptibility to ciprofloxicin while Staphylococcus aureus was resistant. The axillary microflora, predominantly Gram-positive cocci showed a sustained reduction during two weeks usage of deodorant and Gram-negative bacteria were, in general, eliminated.