FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ANTI MICROBIAL POLYHERBAL SPRAY

This study developed two polyherbal antimicrobial sprays using Pongamia pinnata, Azadirachta indica, Origanum vulgare and Clitoria ternatea. Ethanolic (F1) and decoction (F2) extracts were prepared via Soxhlet and aqueous boiling, respectively. The aim was to compare their physicochemical properties and antimicrobial efficacy. Evaluations included organoleptic qualities, pH, evaporation time, spray angle, stability, and leak test. Antimicrobial activity was assessed gainst Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans using disc diffusion. Both formulations were stable, skin-compatible (pH: F1=5.8, F2=6.4), non-sticky, and dried rapidly. Antimicrobial results showed that the decoction-based spray (F2) exhibited stronger antibacterial activity, with a 19 mm inhibition zone against S. aureus and 14 mm against E. coli. The ethanolic spray (F1) showed moderate broad-spectrum activity. Both displayed limited antifungal effect against C. albicans. In conclusion, the decoction-based polyherbal spray demonstrated superior antibacterial performance while maintaining optimal topical characteristics. This suggests aqueous extraction effectively harnesses antimicrobial phytoconstituents, positioning the formulation as a promising natural alternative to synthetic antimicrobials for managing skin infections and wound contamination. Further studies on long-term stability and in vivo efficacy are warranted.