Abstract
The assessment of disinfectants and cleaning agents commonly used by barbers during barbering operations has always been crucial with reference to public health importance. This study focused on the evaluation of the antiseptic properties of commonly used disinfectants in public barbing salon with the aim of ascertaining their suitability for barbing operations. The study revealed Malassezia and Trichophyton species as consistent fungi species while Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Bacillus species were common bacteria consistently isolated from barbing clippers before and after the use of disinfectant (Jik, Izal, Dettol, Kerosene and Fuel). Malassezia and Trichophyton occurred respectively in 70.8% and 58.3% of samples, while Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Bacillus species occurred in 91.67%, 75% and 83.3% of samples respectively. Of all the used disinfectants, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) showed more antiseptic properties on all isolates with a zone of inhibition of 12mm (Malassezia), 14mm (Trichophyton), 42mm (Staphylococcus), 40mm (Streptococcus) and 30mm (Bacillus) while Fuel and kerosene were least in antiseptic properties and showed zero zone of inhibition for all the isolates. The result therefore showed that Hydrogen peroxide is suitable for barbing operations and could be an alternative to high level disinfection.