Article: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY TO COMPARE THE ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECT OF FORMALDEHYDE FUMIGATION WITH THAT OF SURAKSHA DHUPA ON AIRBORNE MICROBES IN DISSECTION HALL

Article Category: Original Research articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.130348

Pages: 8-12

Author: Arifa Yeasmin Mazarbhuiya, Anjali Bharadwaj, Priyanka BV *, Kiran M. Goud

Abstract: Every host does not have an optimum level of immunity to defend himself against the disease-causing pathogens. Hence, the concept of fumigation or sterilization is very much important. Modern methods generally used for sterilization are using chemicals like Formalin solution, Potassium Permanganate, Hydrogen peroxide, silver nitrate, etc. Even though they have an excellent success rate, some side effects of using them include eye irritation, nasal irritation, headache, respiratory damage, unpleasant neurological signs, carcinogenic nature, etc. It is also expensive. This scenario demands an Ayurveda procedure that is cost-effective, safe and convenient to use like Dhupana Karma. Reducing the microbial load to a non-pathogenic level is the purpose of Ayurveda techniques like Dhupana, Homa, Havana, etc. Considering all these, in the present study, an attempt is made to estimate the anti-microbial effect of “Suraksha Dhupa” compared to Formaldehyde fumigation in Dissection Hall. Fumigation is done with Suraksha dhupa and formalin, keeping one week between the procedures. The efficacy is checked by counting the number of CFU, and the results are compared. After fumigation with Suraksha Dhupa and formaldehyde, a decrease in the colony is observed, which is statistically insignificant (p >0.05). However, slightly more reduction in the colony is observed in the formaldehyde group, which is statistically insignificant.

Keyword: Antimicrobial effect, airborne microbes, Formaldehyde, fumigation, Suraksha Dhupa, dhupana, dissection hall.