Preservative Capacity of Some Commercial Cosmetics in Akure Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

The preservative capacities of some commercial cosmetics obtained from Akure, Nigeria were investigated. The results showed that 90.90% of the cosmetic products were contaminated with microorganisms. Bacteria were found to be the most dominant microorganisms than fungi. Ninety-point-nine percent of the cosmetics use in the course of the research were contaminated with bacteria. The bacteria included Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Bacillus cereus, Proteus vulgaris and Bacillus subtilis. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found to be the most predominant microorganisms isolated from the cosmetics, Twenty-two-point-seven-three percent of the cosmetics were contaminated with fungi, and the fungi were Trichoderma piluliferum and Neocosmospora vasinfecta. The pH of the cosmetics was within the range of 6.4 to 7.6. The creams had the lowest pH compared to other cosmetics. Ninety-point-nine percent (90.90%) of the cosmetics displayed inadequate preservative capacity evidenced by inability to lower the inherent bio-burdens to acceptable levels. Such cosmetics product could cause diseases in immune compromised patient. The cosmetics that were contaminated with microorganisms particularly pathogenic bacteria, hence could serve as a reservoir of the agent. Proper store-sales conditions should be targeted as preventing microbial contamination of the cosmetics.