UJI SIFAT FISIK SEDIAAN HAND SANITIZER MINYAK ATSIRI SERAI WANGI (Cymbopogon nardus L.)

Lemongrass contains essential oil compounds that have antibacterial activity. The use of lemongrass in the form of essential oil can be incorporated into hand sanitizer preparations. Hand sanitizer preparations require a base. One of the bases often used is Carbopol. This study aims to determine the effect of variations in carbopol gelling agents on the physical properties of lemongrass essential oil hand sanitizer preparations. The research method used in this study was a posttest-only experimental design. Lemongrass essential oil was made into a hand sanitizer preparation using carbopol gelling agent with variations in concentration of 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1.0%. The formulated gel was tested for physical properties, including organoleptic testing, homogeneity testing, pH testing, and spread diameter testing. The results were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and LSD tests to determine the effect of variations in gelling agent concentration on the hand sanitizer preparation. The results of the organoleptic and homogeneity tests showed that FI was white in color, had a distinctive lemongrass aroma, and a slightly thick consistency; FII was white in color, had a distinctive lemongrass aroma, and a thick consistency; and FIII was white in color, had a distinctive lemongrass aroma, and a very thick consistency. All three formulas were homogeneous. The pH test results showed that FI (6.34±0.20), FII (5.74±0.10), and FIII (5.07±0.14) had significant differences (sig<0.05). The spread diameter test results showed that FI (6.71±0.14 cm), FII (5.95±0.21 cm), and FIII (5.22±0.09 cm) had significant differences (sig<0.05). This study concludes that the results of the physical properties test of lemongrass essential oil hand sanitizer preparations, including organoleptic, homogeneity, pH, and spread diameter tests, have met the requirements. The pH and spread diameter test results affect the physical properties of lemongrass essential oil hand sanitizer preparations.