18 A Joseph1, S Croos1, T. Suraji1 , J A A S Jayaweera1, W WKumbukgolla2 and D J Weilgama1   1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka 2 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka Evaluation of turmeric as a surface disinfectant Introduction Turmeric, a spice, obtained from the rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa, is added commonly when cooking, to give color and taste to food. In India and in Sri Lanka turmeric is also used to cleanse the floor of rural house-holds and even cafes and shops. This study was done to test the usefulness of turmeric as a surface disinfectant and calculate the effective concentration and the frequency of application of aqueous turmeric solution. Material and Methods Turmeric rhizome was cut into small pieces with a sterile scalpel before oven-drying at 45°C. The screening done with 10 % (w/v) turmeric in sterilized deionized water.(Figure 2) The antibacterial effect of turmeric on 30 Methicillin Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 30 S. aureus (SA) strains on Mueller-Hinton agar was evaluated using agar plate dilution method.(Figure 3) The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using 3 ,6,9,12,15,18 % (w/v) dilutions of turmeric powder in sterilized deionized water and 28 MRSA and all SA strains were susceptible at 9% (w/v).(Figure 3) Kinetics of turmeric was tested with this strength using nutrient agar pour plate method. Observations were made at 30 minute intervals for up to 9 hours to check the effect on MRSA and SA. The effect of turmeric on microbes residing on cement and tiled floors were then tested. Here 0.5 McFarland of MRSA and SA were applied on 7.5x7.5 cm areas on both floors. Initial swabbing was done and turmeric 9% solution was added to each area and swabbing.(Figure 1.) As controls MRSA and SA were applied on 7.5x7.5 cm areas on both floors and swabbing was done in 30 minute intervals up to 9 hours MIC of turmeric was 9 % (w/v) against MRSA and SA The antibacterial effect lasted for a maximum of about 4 hours in nutrient agar plate and for 3.5 hours on tile and cement surfaces. Turmeric 10 % (W/V) Zone of inhibition on MRSA Figure 3.Agar plate dilution at 9 % (w/v) of MRSA strains Figure 2.Agar well dilution with zone of inhibition Conclusions Application of 9 % (w/v) turmeric solution will be an effective disinfectant against potentially pathogenic MRSA and SA. However, to achieve a maximum timely protection, it is necessary to apply once in every 3.5 hours on ground surfaces. References 1.Abba, D., Inabo, H.I., Yakubu, S.E., Olonitola, O.S. (2009). Contamination of herbal medicinal products marketed in Kaduna metropolis with selected pathogenic bacteria.Afr. J. Trad. CAM., 6, 70-77. 2.Aggarwal, B.B., Sundaram, C., Malani, N., Ichikawa, H. (2007). Curcumin: the Indian solid gold. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol., 595, 1-75. 3.Chempakam, B., Parthasarathy, V.A. (2008). Chemistry of Spices; Turmeric. V.A. Parthasarathy, B. Chempakam, T.J. Zachariah (Editors). Biddles Ltd., King’s Lynn, Oxfordshire, UK. 4.Chomnawang, M.T., Paojinda, P., Narknopmanee, N., Rungreang, L. (2003). Evaluation of microbiological quality of herbal products in Thailand. Thai J. Phytopharm., 10, 37-47. 5.Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. (2009). M02-A10-Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Disk Susceptibility Tests; Approved Standard-Tenth Edition. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA Results Acknowledgements No funding