Abstract
Soap is sodium or potassium salt of fatty acid produced by saponification reaction using sodium or potassium hydroxide. It is used for cleaning, bathing, and washing. Soaps were produced from neem seed oil and sheabutter oil using the cold process method with slight modification. The physicochemical properties (acid value, saponification value, peroxide value, iodine value and moisture content) of the oil were determined and it showed that the values are within the standard specifications. The quality of the soaps were also assessed by determining the physicochemical properties such as; free caustic alkali, matter insoluble in alcohol (MIA), pH, total fatty matter (TFM), cleaning properties, washing properties and foam stability. All the results obtained showed that the soaps analyzed are good soaps safe for the skin.
Highlights
Soap is sodium or potassium salt of fatty acid produced by saponification reaction using sodium or potassium hydroxide
In ancient Babylon, date back to around 2800BC, soap was prepared by heating animal fat or oil with wood ashes
Perfumes can be added for scented soaps, dyes can be added for coloured soaps, sand can be added for scouring soaps, and air can be blown into the soaps to make it float[15]
Summary
Soap is sodium or potassium salt of fatty acid produced by saponification reaction using sodium or potassium hydroxide. Based on its chemical properties as an anionic surface active agent (surfactant), soap is used to clean and wash skin and clothing [17]. Such chemical characteristics include moisture content, total fatty acids (TFM), pH, free alkali, and percent chloride [4]. Neem oil has been used in the manufacture of natural cosmetics, soap, toothpaste, hair and skin care products, emulsions, liquors, ointments and medicinal cosmetics [3].
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