Antimicrobial Efficacy Of Commonly Used Disinfectants Against Escherichia Coli And Staphylococcus Aureus

The antimicrobial effectiveness of two selected disinfectants (Izal and Jik) was determined using agar diffusion method. The test organisms used (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) were obtained from Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu. The disinfectants were diluted to 100%, 50%, 25%, 62.5%, 12.5% concentrations. The diluted concentrations showed different zones of inhibition against the test organisms. At 100% concentration Izal completely cleared both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus while Jik had 25mm zone of inhibition for Escherichia coli and 24mm zone of inhibition for Staphylococcus aureus.
At 50% concentration Izal cleared both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus while Jik had 20mm zone of inhibition for both test organisms. At 25% concentration Izal completely cleared both test organisms while Jik had 15mm zone of inhibition for Escherichia coli but no zone of inhibition for Staphylococcus aureus. At 12.5% concentration Izal completely cleared both test organisms while Jik had no zone of inhibition. At 6.25% concentration Izal completely cleared the test organisms while Jik had no zone of inhibition for the test organisms.
The results showed that Izal was more effective at any concentration while Jik was effective only at high concentration of 100% and 50%. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus obtained from hospital are both susceptible to the disinfectants used in this research. Therefore, disinfectants such as Izal and Jik can help to control incessant spread of some of the hospital acquired infections when used at the right concentration.