PRODUCTION OF ANTISEPTIC SOAP FROM PSIDIUM GUAJAVA LINN LEAF

Abstract

ABSTRACT; Amritphala (psidium guajava l) is a small size tree in myrtaceae family, traditionally used in treatment of several diseases such as inflammation, diabetes, hypertension, wounds, pain and fever. When it comes to skin care, the astringents of guava enhance the skin texture and tighten loosened skin. The guava leaves works more effectively than any other skin nourishing lotions in the market. Decoction of immature leaves and fruits can be applied on the skin to prevent tightening and toning effects. Being packed with antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents and beneficial tannins, fresh guava leaves are considered as a natural pain reliever. These leaves contain chemicals such as polyphenols, carotenoids, flavonoids and tannins which are extremely effective in treating various diseases. In conjunction to these guava leaves importance, I have come up with a project in which an antiseptic soap was prepared out of it, which is ethnic and of dermatological importance and then explored the chemical and physical properties of the prepared soap. Extract from guava leaves was obtained using maceration extraction method with water as solvent since water has higher polarity compared to other solvents and can show presence of all the physicochemical properties needed. The phytochemical properties of guava extract were carried out which showed that guava extract had both medical and physiological activities. The tests carried revealed the presence of tannins, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, phenols and glycosides. The chemical and physical properties determine the quality and how efficiency the soap is to washing, bathing and even cleaning; and they include moisture content, pH, caustic alkalinity, total fat matter, percentage chloride and the total alkali of the soap made. The physicochemical properties of guava soap were done in comparison with Jamaa, Shujaa and Ndume as control soaps. The values of moisture content ranged between 11.03% to 22.14% with guava soap having 11.18%, pH ranged between 10.63 to 11.43 with guava soap having 11.36 , total fat matter ranged between 52.47% to 58.36% with guava soap having 54.27%, total alkali ranged between 0.00% to 0.55% with guava soap having 0.00%, viii free caustic alkali ranged between 0.00% to 0.04% with guava soap having 0.00% and finally percentage chloride which ranged between 0.14 %to 0.84% with guava soap having 0.41%. This study analysis showed that the free caustic alkalinity and total alkali for the four soaps were below the KEBs set standards hence no adverse effects on skin or cloth. In addition, the pH values were within the KEBs limit hence the soaps cannot have skin irritation effects. Keywords: Extract, Terpenoids, Saponins, Phenol and Tannins Soap, pH, Total fat matter, Moisture content, free caustic alkalinity, percentage chloride, and Total alkali.