Chemical and biological significance of naturally occurring additives on African black soap and its performance

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The potassium ester (C11H23COO -K + ) commonly known as African black soap was prepared by the action of palm kernel oil on cocoa pods. This was divided into four portions. Sample A contained the African Black soap without any modification, sample B was black soap modified with honey, sample C and sample D were modified with shear butter and coconut oil respectively. The pH, FTIR and phytochemical analyses of the samples were carried out. They were also screened for in-vitro antibacterial activities against two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli). The pH determinations showed that all the samples were alkaline in nature with sample A having the lowest pH of 8.90, while sample B had the highest pH of 9.58. FTIR analyses of sample A revealed strong bands assigned to the υ (C=O) frequency of a keto group at 1668 and 1560 cm -1 and a strong band at 1379 cm -1 assigned to the υ (C-O) frequency of the ester oxygen. The spectra of samples B, C and D showed no complexation through these oxygen donor atoms, but rather some interactions with other present molecules. Phytochemical analyses showed that samples A and D were rich in saponin, all the samples were rich in both flavonoids and terpenoids, while tannins and steroids were absent in all the samples. Antimicrobial studies showed that only sample B was active against Staphylococcus aureus, while samples A, C and D were inactive against all tested microorganisms.

African black soap: Physiochemical, phytochemical properties, and uses

“…TABS made from cocoa pods were found to contain saponins, flavonoids, and terpenoids. 27 Soaps containing honey had higher levels of saponins. 14 These phytochemicals are believed to improve the foaming and emulsifying properties of the soap.…”

“…Black soap plain (market) 8.9, 27 9.4 14 Black soap with honey 9.58, 27 9.78, 14 9.8 14 Black soap with shea butter 9.56 27 Black soap with coconut oil 9.00 27 Black soap with lime 9.73 28 Black soap with cam wood 9.1 28 Black soap and Aloe vera 9.14 28 Black soap honey and shear butter 9.78 28 Commercial black soap 8.9 28 traditional black soap have been shown to contain phytochemicals which vary with the plant material used and the various additives to the soap. TABS made from cocoa pods were found to contain saponins, flavonoids, and terpenoids.…”

“…Apart from the reduction of microbes on the skin after bathing, the TABS has been found to have antimicrobial activity against common pathogenic organism in this environment, especially Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus species. 10,[13][14][15]27,37 In a study comparing the antimicrobial activities of black soap against some selected commercial antiseptic soaps on selected skin pathogens, the results…”

“…The TABS is alkaline in nature. In the study by Ikotun et al, 27 the pH of TABS containing ashes from cocoa pods and perm kernel oil was 8.9. Addition of honey, shea butter and coconut oil to the black soap individually increased the pH to 9.58, 9.56, and 9.0, respectively.…”

“…The processed agricultural material from vegetable sources in the traditional black soap have been shown to contain phytochemicals which vary with the plant material used and the various additives to the soap. TABS made from cocoa pods were found to contain saponins, flavonoids, and terpenoids 27 . Soaps containing honey had higher levels of saponins 14 .…”