Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Antimicrobial Deodorant Stick

Deodorants are chemicals that prevent or reduce axillary malodor, which results from bacterial breakdown of perspiration from eccrine and apocrine sweat glands. The sweaty odor is caused by the interaction between a variety of substances including low-molecular-weight fatty acids (i.e caproic, caprylic, isovaleric, butyric), lactates, urea and ammonia, cholesterol, and other steroid compounds. Odor control can be achieved by various means - basic hygiene (washing with soap and water) is the most important but also by antimicrobial agents, antiperspirant, fragrances or any combination of these. Here deodorant sticks were prepared with herbal antimicrobial agent and the sticks were characterized for pH, softening point, disintegration time, colour loss, stability upon 2 weeks storage and anti microbial test. The physicochemical properties remain unchanged after 2 weeks storage. The result of anti microbial activity shows that all the formulations have antibacterial activity towards all tested phytopathogenic bacteria.