Development and Evaluation of Natural Plant Based Oil Blends for their Antimicrobial Activity Against Skin and Hair Pathogens

Abstract

Skin and hair infections caused by bacterial and fungal pathogens pose significant health risks, exacerbated by rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aimed to formulate and evaluate the antimicrobial potential of plant-based oil blends against selected skin and hair pathogens. Phytochemical screening of individual plant oils, including garlic, tea tree, black seed, rosemary, moringa, lavender, sesame, coconut, and palm kernel oils, revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, saponins, steroids, and cardiac glycosides, which contribute to their antimicrobial properties. Three oil formulations (A, B, and C) were developed and assessed for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Trichophyton tonsurans, and Malassezia globosa using the disk diffusion assay and the 96-well plate method. The results showed that all formulations exhibited antimicrobial activity, with Formulation A demonstrating the highest inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (23.3±7.8 mm), while Formulation B showed the strongest activity against Streptococcus pyogenes (10.9±12.7 mm), Trichophyton tonsurans (28.1±9.8 mm), and Malassezia globosa (12.7±0.6 mm). However, none of the formulations exhibited bactericidal or fungicidal effects at 100% concentration. GC-MS analysis of Formulation B, which showed the broadest antimicrobial spectrum, identified 21 bioactive constituents, including terpenes, esters, aldehydes, and fatty acids, which may contribute to its antimicrobial properties. These findings suggest that plant-based oil blends have potential as natural antimicrobial agents capable of inhibiting bacterial and fungal growth. However, further optimization and in vivo studies are necessary to assess their therapeutic efficacy and potential application in skin and hair care formulations.