Soap Production Using Waste Materials of Cassava Peel and Plantain Peel Ash as an Alternative Active Ingredient, Implication for Entrepreneurship

Abstract

The study was conducted using plantain peel ash and cassava peel ash as an active ingredient. These peels are agricultural waste materials that litter the whole environment. The study used the peels as alternative source to the much needed lye, in soap making. The usage of these peels will reduce the cost of soap making and also reduce waste materials in our environment and these will reduce diseases caused by these waste. The plantain peels and cassava peels were burnt into ashes and the ashes were turned into solution with water and filtered. The filtrate was boiled with palm kernel oil, until good lathering soaps were obtained, sensory evaluation was conducted using 15 home Economic respondents. The data were analyzed using frequency distribution and percentage. The qualities of the soap evaluated were the colour, odour, lathering ability and texture. The findings showed that the ashes were good alternative, ingredient for soap making. Recommendations were made based on the findings: that the use of the raw materials should be encouraged for soap making to save the country's foreign exchange. There is need to create awareness on the use of the ashes. Home economics graduates should exploit the self employment opportunity in the area of local soap production using these ashes for self-reliance.