Antimicrobial efficacy of cow urine–based herbal disinfectant formulations against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Abstract

The rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance among pathogenic microorganisms has increased the demand for safe and eco-friendly alternatives to conventional chemical disinfectants. The present study evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of herbal disinfectant formulations prepared using cow urine distillate (CUD) combined with aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem) and Ocimum sanctum (tulsi). Two formulations were developed: cow urine-derived neem disinfectant (CUND) and cow urine-derived tulsi disinfectant (CUTD). Antibacterial activity was assessed against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli using agar disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Both formulations demonstrated concentration-dependent antibacterial activity. CUND produced maximum inhibition zones of 24.05 ± 0.54 mm against E. coli and 18.50 ± 0.79 mm against MRSA, while CUTD showed inhibition zones of 20.00 ± 0.43 mm and 21.42 ± 0.63 mm respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration values further confirmed the higher antibacterial potency of CUND compared with CUTD. The antimicrobial efficacy of CUND was comparable to that of a commercial disinfectant (Lizol®). These findings indicate that cow urine–based herbal disinfectants possess significant antibacterial activity and may serve as economical, biodegradable and environmentally sustainable alternatives to chemical disinfectants in veterinary and public health settings.