Christine Margaret N. Mortel | Zhannalie A. Bastida | Maria Clarisse B. Co | Stephanie V. Mercado | Carlene Gail Y. Sarmiento | Bryan Gabrillo | Jexel Jerkin Pedrosa |
May 05, 2026
This study developed and evaluated a body-heat–dissolving, dual-action sanitizer-soap capsule as an alternative hand-hygiene product. The capsule used a gelatin–glycerin film designed to rupture under body-temperature friction. Three formulations containing castile soap, aloe vera, and diluted oregano essential oil (25%, 50%, and 75%) were prepared. Dissolution tests using heated silicone hands showed that all capsules successfully dissolved, with only minor variations in rupture speed and shell consistency. Antimicrobial activity was assessed with the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, using ciprofloxacin as a positive control. All formulations indicated measurable antibacterial activity, with the 75% concentration producing the largest inhibition zone, followed by 50% and 25%, while the positive control remained significantly stronger. These findings suggest that the sanitizer-soap capsule has potential as a portable, single-use sanitation option that dissolves under body heat and provides antibacterial effects. Further improvements in gelatin include refining shell making, sealing stability, enhancing formulation consistency, and expanding future testing to additional bacterial strains, standardized neutralization methods, and optimized capsule-forming techniques.