Research Proposal Fall 2004 Jeff Ashburn Biology Health Sciences Undergraduate

Topic –EFFECTS OF ANTI-BACTERIAL SOAP VERSUS LIQUID HAND SANITIZER FOLLOWING COMMON METHODS OF USE ON BACTERIA IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT

Project Summary Companies advertised effectiveness consumer use techniques The purpose of this research

Introduction Introduction Advertised use of gel hand sanitizers and antibacterial soaps Advertisements say 99.9% effectiveness when used on hands to kill bacteria Research shows little connection between hand hygiene and healthy living

Objective To test the activity of ethyl alcohol based hand sanitizer and antibacterial soaps on bacteria found in their natural environment.

Hypothesis I expect to find that bacteria are not affected in the same way advertisers are proposing From prior knowledge of bacteria, I expect alcohol to only inhibit bacteria and hand sanitizer to be less effective than proposed. I also expect the antibacterial soap to be less effective than proposed but more effective than hand sanitizer.

Methods and Materials Ethyl alcohol based Gel Sanitizer Triclosan containing Antibacterial Soap TSA and BAP plates Water

For hand sanitizer, hands will be exposed to one serving of sanitizer. TSA and BAP plates will be streaked using one finger. Second set of plates will be streaked only this time hand sanitizing will be completed as the manufacturer states.

For triclosan based antibacterial soap, hands will washed with one serving of the liquid version of the soap. Hands will then be washed with water in a sink for no more than 15 seconds.

TSA plate will be streaked using one finger. A second TSA plate will be streaked, but the washer will use suggested guidelines from the manufacturer of the product.

Incubate for 48 hours. Analyzed for colonies and a comparison will be made of all four plates and the controls. Only 1 small colony is expected to exist on the plate. A control will be made each day by streaking a section of the plate before the hand cleansing (Pietsch S34).

Data Form http :// jcashburn21.tripod.com/Midterm/Dat a_Form.htm http :// jcashburn21.tripod.com/Midterm/Dat a_Form.htm

Expected Results and Benefits I expect more than one colony of bacteria on each TSA plate. People will benefit from this knowledge If no significant amount bacteria are found on the plates that were inoculated using hands washed or sanitized using manufacturer specific techniques for hand cleaning then that knowledge is very significant.

Project Timeline Approval for Funding 27 October 2004 Materials Acquired 2 November 2004 Research Complete2 November 2004 Inoculation Complete 3 November 2004

Interpretation of Data Complete 5 November Alternate Experiments Completed 19 November 2004 Interpretation of the Data Completed 23 November 2004 Data Converted to Appropriate Format 24 November 2004

And Finally: Submission of Results 8 December 2004

Budget /budget.htm /budget.htm