Herbal deodorants MCQs With Answer

Introduction: This blog on Herbal deodorants MCQs With Answer is designed specifically for M.Pharm students studying Herbal Cosmetics (MPG 204T). It focuses on formulation principles, mechanisms of action, phytochemicals, evaluation methods, safety and regulatory aspects of herbal deodorant products. The questions promote deeper understanding of active herbal ingredients, preservative choices, in vitro and in vivo efficacy tests, stability concerns, packaging interactions and analytical techniques like GC-MS. Use these MCQs to prepare for exams, viva voce and practical formulation exercises — each item emphasizes technical details and real-world considerations when developing or evaluating herbal deodorant formulations.

Q1. What primarily distinguishes a deodorant from an antiperspirant?

• Both primarily act by blocking sweat ducts
• Deodorants neutralize or mask odor without significantly reducing sweat
• Deodorants chemically denature sweat proteins to stop perspiration
• Antiperspirants only act as fragrances

Correct Answer: Deodorants neutralize or mask odor without significantly reducing sweat

Q2. Which herbal ingredient is widely used in deodorant formulations for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity?

• Potassium alum (rock alum)
• Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Aluminium chlorohydrate

Correct Answer: Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Q3. What is the main mechanism by which most herbal deodorants reduce body odor?

• Forming insoluble plugs in sweat ducts to stop sweating
• Inhibiting odorogenic bacteria and adsorbing or masking volatile compounds
• Increasing skin pH to deactivate skin enzymes
• Hydrating the stratum corneum to dilute sweat composition

Correct Answer: Inhibiting odorogenic bacteria and adsorbing or masking volatile compounds

Q4. Which natural absorbent is commonly used in herbal deodorant powders to reduce moisture and control odor?

• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Rice starch / arrowroot powder
• Aluminium chlorohydrate
• Glycerin

Correct Answer: Rice starch / arrowroot powder

Q5. Which essential oil commonly used in herbal deodorants is known for phototoxicity and requires caution in formulations?

• Lavender oil
• Tea tree oil
• Bergamot oil (Citrus bergamia)
• Rose oil

Correct Answer: Bergamot oil (Citrus bergamia)

Q6. What is the typical healthy pH range for axillary skin that formulations should respect to minimize irritation?

• 3.0–3.5
• 4.5–5.5
• 6.8–7.5
• 8.0–9.0

Correct Answer: 4.5–5.5

Q7. How do conventional aluminium-based antiperspirants reduce sweat production?

• By providing long-lasting antibacterial action only
• By forming insoluble complexes that block sweat ducts (plug formation)
• By neutralizing odors through enzymatic inhibition
• By increasing local skin hydration to stop perspiration

Correct Answer: By forming insoluble complexes that block sweat ducts (plug formation)

Q8. Which preservative is commonly accepted for use in many herbal deodorant formulations for antimicrobial protection?

• Formaldehyde-releasing agents (e.g., DMDM hydantoin)
• Parabens (methyl/propyl parabens)
• Sodium benzoate / potassium sorbate
• No preservative is required for water-containing products

Correct Answer: Sodium benzoate / potassium sorbate

Q9. Which in vitro test is commonly used to screen antimicrobial activity of herbal deodorant extracts against odour-causing bacteria?

• Human sensory organoleptic panel
• GC-MS quantification of volatiles
• Agar diffusion (zone of inhibition) assay
• Percutaneous absorption study

Correct Answer: Agar diffusion (zone of inhibition) assay

Q10. Which analytical test is most appropriate to monitor oxidation of essential oils used in deodorant formulations?

• Viscosity measurement
• Peroxide value determination
• pH measurement
• Foamability test

Correct Answer: Peroxide value determination

Q11. What classes of phytochemicals commonly contribute to the antimicrobial action in herbal deodorants?

• Terpenoids and phenolic compounds (e.g., flavonoids, tannins)
• Polysaccharides only
• Saturated fatty acids exclusively
• Inorganic salts (e.g., sodium chloride)

Correct Answer: Terpenoids and phenolic compounds (e.g., flavonoids, tannins)

Q12. Which excipient is frequently used to improve flow and prevent caking in powdered herbal deodorant blends?

• Colloidal silica (fumed silica)
• Polyethylene glycol 400
• Glycerol
• Aluminium chlorohydrate

Correct Answer: Colloidal silica (fumed silica)

Q13. Which safety test is essential before marketing a topical herbal deodorant to assess allergy risk?

• Oral toxicity LD50
• Eye irritation test
• Human patch test for skin sensitization (e.g., HRIPT)
• Genotoxicity Ames test

Correct Answer: Human patch test for skin sensitization (e.g., HRIPT)

Q14. Which naturally occurring mineral salt is used in some “natural” deodorants for its astringent and mild antiperspirant effect?

• Aluminium chlorohydrate
• Potassium alum (potassium aluminum sulfate)
• Sodium bicarbonate only
• Magnesium sulfate

Correct Answer: Potassium alum (potassium aluminum sulfate)

Q15. Which instrumental method is preferred for chemical fingerprinting and quantitative profiling of essential oil components in deodorant raw materials?

• High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV only
• Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
• Karl Fischer titration
• Viscometry

Correct Answer: Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

Q16. What is the standard microbiological test used to evaluate the effectiveness of preservatives in a water-containing herbal deodorant?

• Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) alone
• Preservative efficacy test / challenge test (PET)
• Plate stability test at room temperature only
• Gram staining of the formulation

Correct Answer: Preservative efficacy test / challenge test (PET)

Q17. Under which regulatory framework are cosmetics, including herbal deodorants, primarily classified in India?

• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
• Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules
• AYUSH regulatory guidelines exclusively
• Meteorological Department standards

Correct Answer: Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules

Q18. Which packaging material is generally best for preserving volatile essential oils and preventing photodegradation in herbal deodorants?

• Clear PET plastic bottles
• Amber glass containers
• Thin unlined aluminum cans
• Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) squeeze tubes

Correct Answer: Amber glass containers

Q19. Which in vivo method is commonly used to quantify reduction in sweat production for antiperspirant performance studies?

• Minor’s starch–iodine qualitative test only
• Gravimetric sweat collection (absorbent pad weighing)
• Patch testing for irritation
• GC-MS of volatile fatty acids

Correct Answer: Gravimetric sweat collection (absorbent pad weighing)

Q20. What is a primary stability concern for essential oils in herbal deodorant formulations during shelf life?

• Conversion to non-volatile polymers that increase viscosity
• Oxidation of terpenes leading to sensitizing oxidation products
• Immediate microbial contamination within hours
• Rapid hydrolysis into inorganic salts

Correct Answer: Oxidation of terpenes leading to sensitizing oxidation products

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