Patricia Nicole M. Jamerlan (March 2010)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
Soap is a cleanser, used by people to remove filth. Specifically, it is the simplest type of surface-active agent (Skin Care Guide.com 2005). The properties of commercial soap are often analyzed after manufacture to guarantee high quality in the finished product (Classic Encyclopedia 2006). The pH of soap is analyzed because it significantly affects the skin’s protective acid mantle. Highly alkaline soaps have been found to cause dryness and inflammation of the skin surface (Gfatter and others 1997). Total Fatty Matter (TFM) is a measure of the amount of fatty matter present in the soap. The higher the TFM, the better the soap is considered (Pundir 2009). Since the conduct of these tests is decided by the manufacturers (Lallanilla 2005), it is possible that homemade soaps being sold in the local markets have not been subjected to such tests. Thus, this study analyzed the quality of two such soaps namely, “Women – Herbal Papaya Soap” and “Women – Herbal Bath Soap with Skin Care Protection”, in terms of pH and Total Fatty Matter.
Three batches of each of the two soaps were analyzed. The pH of the samples was determined using a pH meter. The Total Fatty Matter of the samples was determined through ethanol extraction.
In terms of pH, it was found that “Women – Herbal Papaya Soap” produced an average pH value of 9.45 for Batch 1, p9.48 for Batch 2, and 9.64 for Batch 3. The second soap “Women- Herbal Bath Soap with Skin Care Protection”, produced an average pH value of 10.52 for Batch 1, 9.45 for Bacth 2, and 10.63 for Batch 3. In terms of Total Fatty Matter, it was found that “Women – Herbal Papaya Soap” produced an average TFM of 54% for Batch 1 and 63% for both Batch 2 and Batch 3. The second soap “Women – Herbal Bath Soap with Skin Care Protection”, produced an average TFM of 53% for Batch 1, 63% for Batch 2, and 59% for Batch 3.
Therefore, it can be concluded that in terms of pH, “Women – Herbal Papaya Soap” can be classified as normal-quality soap, and “Women – Herbal Bath Soap with Skin Care Protection” can be classified as low-quality soap. However, in terms of Total Fatty Matter, both soaps were found to be low-quality soap.