Utilization of Guava (Psidium Guajava) Leaves as an Organic Disinfectant Spray

As a result of the pandemic, disinfectant sprays became a necessity in every household and facility. It’s
used to take precautionary measures to help limit the spread of the virus. But most of these disinfectants
are made with harmful chemicals that harm our health and environment. The majority of the disinfectants
used contain hazardous and corrosive chemical compounds, such as chlorine-releasing agents, oxidizing
agents, and quaternary ammonium cations (Emmanuel et al., 2004; Dumas et al., 2019; Bonin et al.,
2020). Developing a natural and safer alternative will help protect our health and prevent further pollution
of our environment.

We found out that creating an antimicrobial disinfectant solution spray from guava (psidium guajava)
leaves extracts, is a great alternative for chemically produced disinfectants. Guava is part of the
Myrtaceae family, it’s a common tropical fruit in the Philippines, and is easily accessible since it can be
found almost anywhere. Guava leaves have been shown to be antibacterial due to their use in folk
medicine in the treatment of wounds and other ailments (Metwally et al., 2010). From the previous source
mentioned and another study by Huda Ahmed Alghamdi (2021), guava leaves have bio-active chemical
constituents like flavonoids, saponins, tannins, triterpenoids, and eugenol, and where flavonoids and poly-
phenolic compounds dominate over others. And as well as inhibiting microbial growths, guava leaves can
process strong antimicrobial properties because of the abundance of phenolic compounds.

In other studies, the antimicrobial potency of aqueous extract of guava leaves was tested by using it as a
toothbrush disinfectant, while the other is determining the antimicrobial potential of guava leaf extracts
against two gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis) and two gram-positive
bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus) (Vignesh et al., 2017; Bipul Biswas et al., 2013).

Most of the methods used in extracting the guava leaves based on the mentioned studies are; the leaves
are left to dry then crushed, macerated, or deliquesced then mixed with a solvent to help the extraction
process. The solvents commonly used are ethyl alcohol, methanol, and boiling distilled water ( Alghamdi,
2021 Vignesh et al., 2017; Bipul Biswas et al., 2013). For our study, we decided we will use at least 200g
hundred grams of crushed fresh guava leaves then it will be left macerated with 95% ethyl alcohol for 2-3
days. Then the mixture will go into an evaporation process to be filtered and dried and remove the solvent
(Yaun and Vasquez, 2017). After acquiring the extract, it will be mixed with 3% hydrogen peroxide
which will be later diluted with water. Hydrogen peroxide has been used as an antiseptic since the 1920s,
it’s an antiseptic that eliminates viruses and different kinds of bacteria (Live Science, 2011; WebMD,
2020). After forming the mixture it will be transferred to a spray bottle for easier dispersion.

Most of the equipment and procedures that will be used in this experiment can be done and obtained at
home, but if given an option, it is preferred to be done within a lab. Within a year or two this research can
be conducted even with the limited options we have. It will help us further expand in finding better
alternatives for common issues and problems we have now, especially since the pandemic is still ongoing.
The rapid increase in covid cases all throughout the world continue, creating this product can help us
lessen all the burden of problems we have now.
References:

Emmanuel, E., Keck, G., Blanchard, J. M., Vermande, P., & Perrodin, Y. (2004).

Toxicological effects of disinfections using sodium hypochlorite on aquatic organisms and its

contribution to AOX formation in hospital wastewater. Environment International, 30(7),

891–900. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2004.02.004

Dumas, O., Varraso, R., Boggs, K. M., Quinot, C., Zock, J. P., Henneberger, P. K., Speizer, F. E.,

le Moual, N., & Camargo, C. A. (2019). Association of Occupational Exposure to Disinfectants

 With Incidence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among US Female Nurses. JAMA

Network Open, 2(10), e1913563. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.13563

Bonin, L., Vitry, V., Olivier, M. G., & Bertolucci-Coelho, L. (2020). Covid-19: effect of

disinfection on corrosion of surfaces. Corrosion Engineering, Science and Technology, 55(8),

693–695. https://doi.org/10.1080/1478422x.2020.1777022

Metwally, A. M., Omar, A. A., Harraz, F. M., & el Sohafy, S. M. (2010, July). Phytochemical

investigation and antimicrobial activity of psidium guajava L. leaves.

Https://Www.Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov/. Retrieved October 9, 2021, from

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2950385/

Biswas, B., Rogers, K., McLaughlin, F., Daniels, D., & Yadav, A. (2013, October 20).

Antimicrobial Activities of Leaf Extracts of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) on Two

Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Bacteria. Https://Www.Hindawi.Com/. Retrieved October

9, 2021, from https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijmicro/2013/746165/

Alghamdi, H. A. (2021b). A need to combat COVID-19; herbal disinfection techniques, formulations

and preparations of human health friendly hand sanitizers. Saudi Journal of Biological

Sciences, 28(7), 3943–3947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.03.077

Vignesh, R., Rekha, C. V., Baghkomeh, P. N., Annamalai, S., & Sharmin, D. (2017). Comparative

evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of an alternative natural agent for disinfection of

toothbrushes. European Journal of Dentistry, 11(01), 111–116.

https://doi.org/10.4103/ejd.ejd_196_16
Yuan, E., & Vasquez, B. (2011). Antibacterial activity of formulated psidium guajava (guava) hand

sanitizer gel on staphylococcus aureus. Journal of Research - University of the Visayas.

Published.https://core.ac.uk/display/230830674?

utm_source=pdf&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=pdf-decoration-v1

Melina, R. (2011, February 23). Why Does Hydrogen Peroxide Fizz On Cuts? Livescience.Com.

https://www.livescience.com/33061-why-does-hydrogen-peroxide-fizz-on-cuts.html

Hydrogen Peroxide: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD.

(2020). WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-76035/hydrogen-peroxide/details