Quality evaluation of soaps produced from neem seed oil and shea-butter oil

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.