RESEARCH ARTICLE

Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 31 (2) June 2019, p. 304-314

EFFECT OF SUPERFATTING AGENTS ON SOAPS PROPERTIES

SYLVIA E BENJAMIN* and AMIR ABBASS**

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21894/jopr.2019.0019
Published Online: 31-May-19
ABSTRACT

Advancements in soap technologies have improved the quality of life worldwide. Several new products have flooded the market encompassing laundry, beauty and dermatology. Over the years, palm oil (PO) has made an invaluable contribution in the global market. The use of palm stearin (POs) in soap making is well recognised due to its cost competitiveness. However, incorporation of POs in high amounts can cause cracking of soaps. The present studies focused upon the use of POs with palm kernel oil (PKO) in ratio of 60:40. This work is novel: i.e., pure distilled fatty acids (DFA) were incorporated as superfatting agents to upgrade soap properties. Neat soap was prepared by direct neutralisation and then superfatted with pure DFA of lauric, myristic, palmitic and stearic in proportions of 2%. Moisture content (MC) is an important controlling parameter during soap processing which effects the solubility and final texture of soaps. It is evidenced that superfatted (SF) soaps showed constancy in total fatty matter (TFM), free fatty acids (FFA), iodine value (IV) and peroxide value (PV) as the MC percentage declined with time. The stability of SF soaps persisted upon exposure at an elevated temperature of 100ºC for seven days. Also, the moisturising ability and foamability enhanced with the addition of superfatting agents. These soaps also exhibited improved resistance to cracking.

KEYWORDS:


* Department of Chemistry, Forman Christian College - A
Chartered University, Gulberg II, Lahore 54600, Pakistan.
E-mail: s_e_benjamin@yahoo.com

** Pentagram LLC, Naif Road, P. O. Box 94351, Deira,
Dubai, United Arab Emirates.