Antimicrobial Activity of Fuller’s Earth, Turmeric, and Sandalwood against Streptococcus Mutans, Micrococci and Coagulase Negative Staphylococci-an In vitro Study

Introduction: Sandalwood powder (Santalum alba) is used if the skin is oily for removing dark spots on the skin. Sandalwood has an anti-tanning and anti-aging property. Turmeric powder (Curcuma longa) is mainly used to rejuvenate the skin. It helps to delay aging like wrinkles and also possesses other properties like antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory, and many other properties. Multani mitti helps the skin in many different ways like the reduction of pore size pore sizes, removing blackheads and removing whiteheads fading freckles, soothing sunburns, cleansing skin, improving blood circulation, complexion, reducing acne and blemishes, and gives a glowing effect to your skin as they contain many-particles which can inhibit various organisms. Materials and Methods: In this investigation, the antimicrobial viability of Turmeric, sandalwood and Multani Mutti was tested against Streptococcus mutans, Micrococci, and coagulase-negative Original Research Article Dhanasekaran and Muralidharan; JPRI, 33(58B): 65-73, 2021; Article no.JPRI.74349 66 staphylococcus. The microorganisms were filled in strong media, and culture containing stock suspensions was made and, in this way, standard strains of Streptococcus mutans, Micrococci, and Coagulase-negative staphylococci were obtained. Microorganisms were subcultured in fitting society media to affirm their virtue. Results: The zone of inhibition of turmeric against Streptococcus mutans is about 11mm. The zone of inhibition of turmeric against Micrococci is about 9 mm. The zone of inhibition of turmeric against Coagulase-negative staphylococci is about 13mm. There was no zone of inhibition for both sandalwood and Multani mitti for Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus mutans, and Micrococci. Conclusion: The study proves the turmeric has antimicrobial potential against Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus mutans,, and Micrococci with good prospects of development into antimicrobial face pack or face wash


INTRODUCTION
Microbial activity is important for a series of soil reactions and functions, including organic matter decomposition, humus formation, nutrient cycling, aggregate formation, and stabilization [1]. Microbial activity in the final product may be derived from contamination sources located in the production line even preprocessing such as pre-drying is carried out in a hygienic condition. Contamination sources may be established at any site where temperature and moisture provide conditions that are conducive for the multiplication of microorganisms [2]. The English word "fuller", comes from "foulon" in French or "fullone" in Italian, which derives from the Latin term "fullo", indicating a person who degreases and thickens clothes. Fuller's Earth can be also used to decontaminate skin and it has various other properties. Fuller's Earth resembles clay in texture and form [3,4] Fullers Earth more commonly known as 'Multani mitti' is used for healing purposes, especially of the skin. It is natural and has a variety of effects on metabolism in our body [5]. Multani mitti is a clay deposit found in Pakistan, it is found in plenteous deposits, which are located in Multan. Scientifically, Multani mitti is a mineral of montmorillonite smectite and bentonite clay, From the ancient Chinese, Mesopotamians, Egyptian, and Indian civilizations, it is easy to find out various beneficial and curative effects of clay [6]. Clay has a variety of applications i.e. aesthetic medicine, dietary supplements, therapeutics, healing, and cleaning agents [7]. It is a superabsorbent form of aluminum silicate. Mostly composed of silica, magnesium, iron, and aluminum, it has been used to absorb dirt and oil used by people throughout many years. . Recent developments of procedures for cultivating and identifying microorganisms are aiding microbiologists in their assessment of the earth's full range of microbial diversity [8]. Fuller's earth, a grey-green powder, is hydrated aluminum silicate and aluminum-magnesium sulfate. Employed for its absorbing properties in cleansing products [9]. Sandalwood powder (Santalum alba) is used if the skin is oily for removing dark spots on the skin. Sandalwood has an anti-tanning and anti-aging property. It also helps the skin in many ways like toning effect, emollient, antibacterial properties, cooling astringent property, soothing and healing property.
Turmeric powder (Curcuma longa) is mainly used to rejuvenate the skin. It helps to delay aging like wrinkles and also possesses other properties like antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory, and many other properties. Turmeric in the powdered state has been in continuous use for its flavoring, as a spice in both veg and non-veg food, it also has digestive properties. It is the best source of a blood purifier. It is a very effective cure of acne due to its antiseptic antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that fight pimples to provide a shining glow to your skin. It also reduces the oil secretion which is produced by sebaceous glands. Fuller's earth (Multani mitti) helps the skin in many different ways like the reduction of pore size pore sizes, removing blackheads and removing whiteheads fading freckles, soothing sunburns, cleansing skin, improving blood circulation, complexion, reducing acne and blemishes, and gives a glowing effect to your skin as they contain manyparticles which can inhibit various organisms. Multani mitti is rich in magnesium chloride [10]. Our team has extensive knowledge and research experience that has translated into high quality publications [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27]. [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. The aim of the study is to find out the antimicrobial activity of fuller's earth against microbes present in the face like Streptococcus mutans, Micrococci, and Coagulase-negative staphylococci

Preparation of Turmeric Paste
Turmeric was purchased from the herbal care store and then 5 grams of turmeric was taken and soak it in water for about 1 hour and after which it is made into a paste with mortar and pestle and then transferred into a sterile test tube the test tube was kept in a hot air oven for sterilization after which was transferred into a sterile container

Preparation of Sandalwood Paste
Sandalwood was purchased from herbal care store and then about 5 grams of the sandal was taken and soaked in water for about 1 hour and after which was made to paste with the help of mortar and pestle and then transfer into a sterile test tube which was kept in the hotter oven for sterilization after which it was transferred into a sterile container

Preparation of Multani Mutti Paste
The Multani mitti powder was purchased from herbal care store after about 5 grams was taken made into a paste by adding water and mixing it in the mortar and pestle and that it was transferred into a sterile tissue which was kept in the hot air oven for sterilization and after it was transferred into a sterile container

Agar Well Diffusion Methoda
Standard strains of Streptococcus mutans, Micrococci, and Coagulase-negative staphylococci grown on enriched media and incubated for 12 hours. These fresh cultures were used to make a suspension in saline with turbidity matching 0.5 Mcfarland standard, 50 microliters of the suspension was pipetted and placed on the surface of Mueller Hinton agar and uniformly spread using a sterile swab. Then using a sterile metal tube of 6 mm diameter 3 wells were cut on the media. The wells are filled with fullers earth, turmeric, and sandalwood. After incubation, the zone of inhibition was measured in millimeters and tabulated. Measure the zone of inhibition after 12 hrs. Take care to avoid contamination.

RESULTS
The zone of inhibition of turmeric against Streptococcus mutans is about 11mm. The zone of inhibition of turmeric against Micrococci is about 9 mm. The zone of inhibition of turmeric against Coagulase-negative staphylococci is about 13mm. There was no zone of inhibition for both sandalwood and Multani mitti for Streptococcus mutans, Micrococci, and Coagulase-negative staphylococci. The highest zone of inhibition was noted for turmeric for Coagulase-negative staphylococci followed by the zone of inhibition of turmeric for Streptococcus mutans, and the zone of inhibition of turmeric for Micrococci.

DISCUSSION
According to the study, The zone of inhibition of turmeric against Streptococcus mutans is about 11mm. The zone of inhibition of turmeric against Micrococci is about 9 mm . the zone of inhibition of turmeric against Coagulase-negative staphylococci is about 13mm. There was no zone of inhibition for both sandalwood and Multani mitti for Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus mutans,, and Micrococci.
Turmeric powder (Curcuma longa) Turmeric is mainly used to rejuvenate the skin. It helps to delay aging like wrinkles and also possesses other properties like antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory, and many other properties. Turmeric in the powdered state has been in continuous use for its flavoring, as a spice in both veg and non-veg food, it also has digestive properties. In a previous study, [36]. The maximum zone of inhibition was 13.5 mm which was noted for Staphylococcus aureus and it showed a zone of inhibition of 11.5 mm in 12μg concentration in Staphylococcus aureus. Whereas it showed zero inhibition in Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus in water extracted samples. And zero zone of inhibition for water extracted samples in Candida albicans applied on both concentration Whereas in our study the maximum zone of inhibition was voted for turmeric in Coagulase-negative staphylococcus which was 13 mm and sandal and Multani mitti show zero inhibition in all three organisms. In a study done by [37] the zone of inhibition in turmeric against Staphylococcus aureus showed about 14 mm and the zone of inhibition in turmeric against Escherichia coli showed about 10 mm, compared to our study, our study Showed about in turmeric it showed 13 mm zone of inhibition in Coagulase-negative staphylococci, 11mm zone of inhibition in Streptococcus mutans and 9, mm zone of inhibition in Micrococci whereas in Zero zone of inhibition in sandalwood and Multani Mutti in all organisms .  In a previous study by [38] the turmeric oil was effective in inhibiting the three pathogenic bacteria with zone of inhibition of 7 mm, 8 mm, and 9 mm against S. mutans, Enterococcus, and S. aureus, respectively, in the concentration of 25 μg/ml. In 50 μg/ml, the zone of inhibition was found to be 8 mm, 5 mm, and 7 mm against the oral pathogens, respectively. For 100 μg/ml, it was 8 mm, 5 mm, and 12 mm against S. mutans, Enterococcus, and S. aureus, whereas in our study our study Showed about in turmeric it showed 13 mm zone of inhibition in Coagulase-negative staphylococci, 11mm zone of inhibition in Streptococcus mutans and 9, mm zone of inhibition in Micrococci . In a study done by [39] 100 ug/ml curcumin extracted into the culture plates of S. mutans, it shows 78.35% of inhibition of the biofilm formation. From the result, it is evident that curcumin has a very good inhibitory effect on S. mutans growth similar to our study which is zone of inhibition in Coagulase-negative staphylococci, 11mm zone of inhibition in Streptococcus mutans and 9, mm zone of inhibition in Micrococci whereas in Zero zone of inhibition in sandalwood and Multani Mutti in all organisms. Sandalwood powder (Santalum alba) is used if the skin is oily for removing dark spots on the skin. Sandalwood has an anti-tanning and antiaging property. It also helps the skin in many ways like toning effect, emollient, antibacterial properties, cooling astringent property, soothing and healing property. In a previous study by [40,41] Santalum alba exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against one strain of S. hominis which was 8.67 mm. Whereas in another previous study by [42] the zone of inhibition of sandalwood is 6.25 mm which was detected against S. capitis and all strains of S. hominis which showed contrasting findings with our results because in our study sandalwood showed zero zone of inhibition against all 3 organisms which are Streptococcus mutans, Micrococci, and Coagulase-negative staphylococci . In a previous study done by [40] the ethanolic extracts of sandalwood, seeds were shown to have no antibacterial properties (Patil et al. 2011), thereby indicating that the seeds do not accumulate such principles, whereas the aqueous extracts from leaves and stem did show antimicrobial potential whereas in our study the sandalwood paste which was done in sandalwood stem also showed zero zones of inhibition and no antimicrobial activity.
Multani mitti helps the skin in many different ways like the reduction of pore size pore sizes, removing blackheads and removing whiteheads fading freckles, soothing sunburns, cleansing skin, improving blood circulation, complexion, reducing acne and blemishes, and gives a glowing effect to your skin as they contain manyparticles which can inhibit various organisms. A study done by Silver nanoparticles of biogenic materials inhibits bacterial growth by giving a clear inhibition zone. Different sizes of cubic AgNPs were estimated in which small cubic AgNPs of Multanimitti which showed the mean size 4.6 mm which showed the strongest antibacterial activity, whereas in our study Multani Mutti showed zero zones of inhibition against all 3 organisms which is Streptococcus mutans, Micrococci, and Coagulase-negative staphylococci [42,43].

CONCLUSION
Thus, from the current study, Turmeric is found to have a very good antimicrobial effect on Streptococcus mutans, Micrococci, and Coagulase-negative staphylococci, and It can recommend to be made into a face pack, face wash for people with rashes, pimples, and dark skin as a remedy.

FUNDING
Organisation name from which the student received funding. Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals , Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science , Saveetha University.

CONSENT
It is not applicable.

ETHICAL APPROVAL
It is not applicable.