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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Antiseptics are chemical agents of disinfection that are mild enough to be used on human skin or tissues. They are crucial in the prevention of wound infections, colonization of medical devices as well as nosocomial and community transmission of microorganisms (Cairncross S, 2000). Because of these crucial roles, they are expected to be of optimal efficacy an absence of which normally results in substantial infectious morbidity, mortality and increased health care cost (Boyce JM, 2002). For antiseptics to function optimally however, several factors have to be taken into consideration. One major factor is the concentration of the antiseptic. It is known that there is an exponential relationship between potency and concentration of an antimicrobial agent (Gorman S, 2004). 

This means that the more concentrated an agent, the greater its efficacy, and the shorter the time necessary to destroy the microorganisms. Because of the possibility of toxicity, however, the concentration of antiseptics must be strictly controlled. Concentration exponent is the numerical value that relates concentration to the antimicrobial effectiveness of an antimicrobial agent. There are various classes of antiseptics and agents which constitute members of these classes have similar concentration exponents. Thus, peroxides have values of 0.5 to 1.0, aldehydes, 1.0, quaternary ammonium compounds, 0.8 to 2.5, phenolic compounds, 4 to 10.0 and aliphatic alcohols, 6.0 to 12.7. Other classes include: acids and their esters, alcohols, biguanides, halogens, heavy metals, surface active agents, quinoline and isoquinoline derivatives and dyes (Gorman S, 2004). Antiseptics that are examples of each of these classes normally constitute the active ingredients, either singly or in multiple, in the antiseptics available under various trade names all over the world. The study will in this regard examine the production of antiseptic.

1.2   STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS

Antiseptics are ideal for the killing of this microorganism. It is therefore very important for every house hold to learn on, this substance can be produced at a cheaper rate in order to be free from the nuisance caused by these microorganisms.  

1.3   OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To learn how to produce antiseptics in various homes rather than going for commercial ones. 

2. To test the efficacy of the product (antiseptics) produced in this research work.

3. To use this production as an opportunity to acquired skills in the schools, thereby creating jobs for the unemployed and making them self- reliant.

1.4   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

Due to financial constraints, this research work is limited to the production of disinfectant.

1.5   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The result of this research work would be useful in the production of disinfectant. It will equally serve as a guide to the production of antiseptics as well as to learners.