Effects of soapmaking process on soap stability with dragon fruit peels extract

Abstract

This research aims to know the effects of extract composition on the solid soap properties (i.e. pH and hardness). The extract composition and reaction time were varied at 1 to 1.5 wt.% and 20 to 40 minutes, respectively. The red dragon fruit peels (Hylocereus polyrhizus) extract was obtained by maceration method followed by evaporation process, in order to remove the remaining ethanol (EtOH). The solid soap is made by reacting Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and several additives. The results showed that the prepared solid soaps contain pH (8.29 - 10), hardness (55.763 - 380.167 mm/s). It indicates that solid soap with reaction time 20 minutes with 1.5 wt.%extract has the best stability among all the formed soaps.