INFLUENCE OF HERBAL MATERIALS ON SOAP FOAMING AND ORGANOLEPSIS

Abstract

Dried powdered herbs were formulated in soap bases using palm kernel oil (PKO), shea butter (SB) and mixtures of the two bases. Soaps were prepared by the cold saponification technique using caustic alkali, poured into moulds of appropriate shapes and left to solidify at room temperature. The prepared soaps were evaluated for organoleptic properties and foaming ability. It was observed that soaps prepared with the mixtures of the two bases possessed higher qualities than those with the individual bases. Incorporation of powdered herbs into soaps influenced both their hardness and foaming ability. Except for the Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit powder, which improved the foaming ability of soaps, other herbs studied i.e. Acalypha wilkesiana; Harungana madagascariensis and Ficus exasperata generally dressed the foaming ability of soaps. The results suggest the need for care when formulating powdered herbs into soap bases as these may adversely influence other desirable qualities of medicated soaps.


Key Words: Cocos nucifera, Palmae, Elaeis guineensis, Acalypha wilkesiana, Euphorbiaceae, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Mimossaceae, Ficus exasperata, Moraceae, Harugana madagascariensis, Hyperaceae, soap, organolepsis


Nig. J. Nat Prod. And Med. Vol.5 2001: 41-44