Comparative chemical analysis of Indigenous Nigerian soaps with conventional ones

Abstract

This study compared the chemical properties of the indigenous Nigerian soaps with the conventional soaps in order to determine whether or not they met acceptable standards. The locally made soaps were obtained from markets in Ile-Ife, Osun State and Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria. The soap samples were acid digested and trace metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Hg) in the digested samples were profiled using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Documented techniques were adopted to analyze the soaps for pH, moisture content, free fatty acid, chloride content, free caustic alkali, matters insoluble in water and ethanol. The margin of safety (MoS) and hazard index (HI) associated with the use of the soaps were also evaluated. The locally made soaps had higher physicochemical properties than the conventional soaps. Mercury (Hg) had the highest concentration in the locally made soaps ranging from 106.50 ± 0.23–273.58 ± 0.49 μg/g and 46.35 ± 0.22–55.12 ± 0.65 μg/g in the conventional soaps, while Cd had the least concentration in the locally made soaps ranging from 2.95 ± 0.45–6.05 ± 0.60 μg/g and 2.88 ± 0.11–5.20 ± 0.60 μg/g in the conventional soaps. Although highly mercuric soaps are known to kill bacteria and fungi, the observed MoS (<100) and HI (>1) indicated that the soaps might be safe if only restricted to occasional use by adults and children. A careful preliminary investigation and selection of the raw materials used in the production of indigenous soaps should be considered a necessary step.

The Preparation and Physicochemical Analysis of Local Black Soap from Coconut Oil and Plantain Peel Biochar

“…This reveals that there are plausibly insoluble fats and sodium silicate insoluble in alcohol in the local soap. This could indicate that the black soap included waxes and lipids that are water-insoluble (27). The FFA content of the local black soap was 2.1%.…”

Skin Cleansing without or with Compromise: Soaps and Syndets

“…While soaps and syndets are similar in that they cleanse dirt and impurities from the surface of the skin, their distinct chemical properties and physiological effects can be markedly different [ 3 , 9 , 10 , 13 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ] ( Figure 1 ).…”

“… The key points of difference between soaps and syndets [ 3 , 9 , 10 , 13 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. …”

“…This makes surfactants a key component of skin maintenance. However, not all surfactants are created equal, with some, namely soap-based surfactants, creating more problems than they address [ 3 , 9 , 10 , 13 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ].…”

Kinetika Reaksi Pembuatan Sabun dan Pemurnian Gliserol dari Limbah Alkali Sabun: Review

“…Sabun adalah sejenis surfaktan yang dapat diproduksi dari bahan alam dan diaplikasikan sebagai produk pembersih seperti untuk menghilangkan germs, contaminants and dirt (Oyekunle et al, 2021). Hal ini dikarenakan sabun merupakan molekul yang memiliki gugus hidofobik dan hidrofilik sehingga sabun dapat berikatan dengan gugus hidrofobik debu dan gugus hidrofilik senyawa polar seperti air untuk menghilangkan debu (Lin et al, 2005).…”