TEST RESULTS FOR PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS

Antibacterial Activity | Zone of Inhibition | Contact Kill | Synthetic Detergent | Total Fatty Matter | Foam Height | Matter Insoluble in Alcohol | Stability | Free Caustic Alkali

Antibacterial Activity Antibacterial activity was observed to judge the product’s effectiveness in removal/killing of microbes/ germs. All the brands were effective in removing/killing germs

significantly. Zone of Inhibition The ‘zone of inhibition’ test is a fast, qualitative way to measure the ability of an antimicrobial agent to inhibit the growth of microorganisms. This test allows manufacturers of antimicrobial products to compare the inhibition levels of their product. All of the brands cleared the test and received full

score. Contact Kill This test was conducted to measure the rate of killing of bacteria. All the brands cleared the test and received full score. Synthetic Detergent The recommended limit by Indian Standards is a maximum two per cent for soap-based hand washes. A balanced mixture of total fatty matter (TFM) and synthetic detergent would be a good option but with the quantities of both meeting the BIS requirements.

It may be noted that a high quantity of synthetic detergent in toiletries is associated with environmental hazards. Synthetic detergent must be absent in the composition of the product for it to qualify for Eco Mark labeling in India. Bacter Shield (12.45 per cent) and Reliance (12.4 per cent) were found to have the highest quantity of synthetic detergent (these are non-soap-based and hence the two per cent limit is not applicable). Lowest synthetic detergent was found in Patanjali

(1.51 per cent), a herbal hand wash. Total Fatty Matter For soap-based liquid hand washes – namely Lifebuoy and Hamam – TFM requirement is a minimum 15 per cent. There is no requirement for non-soap-based liquid hand wash. All of the tested brands had less than 15 per cent of

total fatty matter. Hamam was found to have 14.74 per cent TFM and Lifebuoy 13.8 per cent. Among non-soap-based brands, Dettol (8.51 per cent) had the highest amount of TFM. Foam Height (of two per cent solution) The foam height is tested to measure the ability to generate lather, which is quite essential for washing and is expected by users. Highest foam generation was in Hamam and Lifebuoy (both 240 mm) and lowest in Reliance and Palmolive (both 160 mm). Matter Insoluble in Alcohol The lower the insoluble material, the better is the product. Apart from adding on to the weight, insoluble materials also make a difference to the overall cleaning ability of the product. Highest matter insoluble in alcohol was found in Hamam (1.58 per cent); the lowest was in Savlon (0.064 per cent). Stability The product shall remain a homogeneous stable composition and show no sign of separation or sedimentation when kept at 5 degree C for 24 hours. All brands met the stability condition.

Free Caustic Alkali It should be on the lower side. It was not detected in any of the tested brands – they

all received full score.