Chemical characterization of local black Soap ( Chahul Mtse ) made by using cassava peels ashes (alkali base) and palm oil in North Central Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

Chemical characterization of local black by using cassava peels ashes (alkali base) and palm oil in  North Central Zone of Nigeria is essensially crude soap  made by using cassava peels ashes (alkali base) and palm oil  . These peels were burnt to ashes and  the alkali extracted from it by dissolving in water and later filtered. This Soap( Chahul Mtse ) made extract is made to react with hot oil and the resultant mixture is black soap. This soap is often disregarded due to its color and mode of preparation .The values for total fatty matter (TFM), total free alkali (TFA), free carbonate alkali (FCaA), free caustic alkali (FCA), pH, lather volume and  foam analysis were  62% (w/w), 6.7% (w/w), 3.8% (w/w), 2.95% (w/w), 9.0, 300ml and 6.33 hrs respectively while the wash-active-substance was found to be 35.78%  compared to the modern soap. The chemical characterization however has revealed this soap has a quality very close to any standard soap These results showed the potency as well as the inadequacies of black soap which can be improved upon .

Key words-  , analysis  crude, cleansing, , domestic surfactant.