Production of Soap From An Indigenous Moringa oleifera LAM SEED OIL

Abstract

Some physicochemical properties and quality characteristics of Moringa oleifera L. seed oil were analysed and the following values were obtained; Percentage yield 39.40 %; Acid value 13.09±0.01 mgKOH/g; Peroxide value 37.79±0.02 meq H₂O₂; lodine value 51.43±0.02 gl₂/100g; Saponification value 141.98 ± 0.02 mgKOH/g; Free fatty acid 8.32 ± 0.01(% oleic acid). Alkali hydrolysis was performed on the extracted seed oil to produce anionic surfactant (soap). The pH of the prepared soap was 8.53, the soap was cream in colour and slightly soluble in distilled water. Justification of the use for the seed oil for home made and large scale industrial production of soap was discussed.