Abstract

EFFECT OF SIMPLE CLEANSING METHODS ON MOUTHPIECES DECONTAMINATION OF SHARED WIND INSTRUMENTS

Sri Agung Fitri Kusuma*, Wahyu Purwita Sari and Dewi Rusmiati

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to determine a simple cleansing method that can be applied to decontaminate mouthpieces of shared wind instruments. Methods: In this study, 4 kinds of wind instruments, i.e. trumpet, mellophone, trombone and tuba, were examined. The total bacteria attached to the instrument was isolated using the swab method and suspended it in a sterile physiological NaCl solution to determine the number of initial bacterial colonies on the instrument. The effect of decontamination was carried out by a simple cleansing method using immersion the mouthpieces in hot water with the temperature of 100 0C for 5 min and soaked using soap containing 2% of triclosan. The survival colonies were evaluated using plate count method and calculated using a colony counter. Results: The cleansing method using immersion in hot water with the temperature of 100 0C for 5 min significantly decreasing the bacteria number (91.85-99.91%), compared with that of liquid soap (50.30-91.67%). However, tuba mouthpieces were the most easiest to be sterilized using both methods, because it has the largest surface area. Conclusion: The immersion using hot water with the temperature of 100 0C for 5 min can be used as a method of disinfection that is fast, simple and easy to be applied to the mouthpieces of shared wind instruments.

Keywords: disinfection, mouthpieces, musical instruments, hot water, soap, simple.