Abstract:
Herbal soaps are popular products at a
homemade scale worldwide, but innovative and
commercialized local formulations are rare. Sri
Lanka has a rich herbal diversity, and several
plant extracts have been scientifically proven to
show bioactivities such as anti-inflammatory,
antibacterial, and antifungal properties. An
instance of this is a herbal soap formulation that
is useful for treating microbiological infections
and regular use. The current study aimed to
develop a novel herbal soap enriched with extracts
of aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis), citronella oil
(Cymbopogon nardus) and black tea (Camellia
sinensis),
evaluate
the
physico-chemical
properties, and gauging consumer preference for
the finished prototype while advancing the
technology of the current saponification process.
The soap base was produced by saponifying
coconut oil with NaOH at 40°C, subsequently
value added by incorporating 8% aloe vera gel,
4% citronella oil, and 4% black tea extract, and allowed to age for 72 hours at 32°C. The physico
chemical properties were determined as follows:
density was 0.95 mg/ml, NaOH ratio was 4.16,
free alkali content was 0.028% (0.007 mol/dm³),
and Total Fatty Matter (TFM) was 79.6%. These
metrics comply with the SLS 34:2009 standards
and align with previous research findings, thereby
classifying the product as Grade 1. Consumer
assessment considered colour, aroma, texture,
washing quality, and overall acceptability,
revealing a brownish-golden hue, pleasant
fragrance, a soft, consistent texture and gentle
hand impact. Consumer preference was assessed
across diverse socio-economic groups, revealing
a high overall acceptability rating of 8.65 out of
10. The study advances soap technology,
emphasizing compatibility with existing standards
and consumer satisfaction.
