Soap Investigatory Project
Soap Investigatory Project
Research plan
Researcher:
Xyrah Rabanillo
Cluster: 1
Null Hypothesis
This study only uses the seed of the Mahogany which was collected in the researchers backyard and it is
ground into a fine powder. Only the powdered mahogany seed will be used for experimenting. It is limited
only to use simple techniques and crude materials at home.
I have studied a few things to support our idea of making a Swietenia Marophylla soap. My study
covers the content of Swietenia Macrophylla seed. This serves as proof that my idea could be possibly
made but it does not mean that it is proven effective. Lastly, I have to examine the ways of making soaps
in order to create my very own recipe of Swietenia Macrophylla soap.
E. Methodology
A. Materials
The materials needed in the study includes the following:
1. Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) - Sodium hydroxide is a powerful chemical. Sodium hydroxide is
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
To compare the scent, texture and soap suds among the treatments, 15 respondents will be used to test
the soap. The test subjects will apply the said soap in their hands. They will use the soap twice a day
for three days.
F. Data Gathering
To compare the scent, texture and soap suds among the treatments, 15 respondents will be used to test
the soap. The following Likert scale will be use:
5- Very Good
4- Good
3- Mildly Good
2- Slightly Good
The Acceptability of
Swietenia Macrophylla Seed
As an Additive in Making Soap
A requirement in Research II
2015-2016
Submitted by:
Xyrah Rabanillo
Submitted to:
Mrs. Vivian Camba
Acknowledgement
First and foremost, the researcher would like to thank the God Almighty for the wisdom and strength He
has given throughout the experiment making this study possible.
To the researchers family, a deepest gratitude is given for their continuous love and support;
To Mrs. Vivian R. Camba, the Researcher Adviser, for her assistance and supervision in the conduct of the
study;
To Mr. Jose RamilSibun, Science Head Teacher III, for extending his help and technical assistance to the
project;
To Mrs. Cecilia M. Nisperos, our Principal, for giving her the encouragement and support in the conduct
of the study;
Chapter I
Introduction
Soap is widely used to clean our body. Soap is the oldest cleanser around. Different kinds of soaps are
made using a variety of different oils. Both animals and plants oils can be used in the soap making process, each
adding different qualities to the soap. While there is nothing new about handmade soap, its popularity is growing
rapidly. The sales of handmade soap continue to grow as part of societys movement toward buying products that
are healthy and good for the environment.
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By general definition, wed probably all agree that soap is a substance that cleans off dirt when used in
the presence of water. In its most common forms, it will produce bubbles, feel slippery, and remove oils, odors,
and smudges from our skin. It leaves us feeling clean and often smells nice to boot. Pretty good stuff.
Specifically, how people would classify soap would depend on what its made of. Most commercially
available soap is more accurately detergent, but that is a discussion for another time. For now, well
collectively consider anything commonly used for washing hands, whether liquid or bar, commercially produced
or home-made, to be soap.
With the ongoing research of other herbs and fruits as soap additives.Swieteniamacrophylla King a tall,
lofty, evergreen tree found in tropical vicinities of the world. Its fruit is colloquially known as sky fruit as it
appears to point toward the sky. Various parts of Swieteniamacrophylla have been used to treat a great array of
ailments in various traditional and folk-lore systems of medicine. Swieteniamacrophylla has been reported to
possess hypoglycaemic, antimicrobial, antimalarialand antiviral activities. Swieteniamacrophylla is a good source
of bioactive tetranorterpenoids, phargmalin-type limonoids.In Malaysia, the raw seeds have been used as a folklore medicine for the treatment of hypertension and diabetes. Despite the wide use of raw Swieteniamacrophylla
seeds in folk-lore medicine, there were no data on the safety of consuming its raw seeds for these claims.
The main goal of this study is to create a soap that is a good source of nourishing our skin. The study was
conducted to determine the acceptability of Swieteniamacrophylla as an additive in the preparation of handmade
soaps. This study is experimental as well as descriptive in nature.
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Generally, this study gives information about the acceptability of Swietenia Macrophylla seed as an additive
in making soap. This study is significant in many ways:
To the community, this study will give them idea that Swietenia macrophylla Seed have many medical
benefits.
To the dermatologists, this study will give them ideas that Swietenia Macrophylla seed can be an additive
in making soap. This will help them to make this study better.
To the researchers, the result of this study can help them develop better studies in terms of soap
production.
D. Scope and limitation of the study
This study only uses the seed of the Mahogany which was collected in the researchers backyard and it is
ground into a fine powder. Only the powdered mahogany seed will be used for experimenting. It is limited
only to use simple techniques and crude materials at home.
I have studied a few things to support our idea of making a Swietenia Marophylla soap. My study covers
the content of Swietenia Macrophylla seed. This serves as proof that my idea could be possibly made but
it does not mean that it is proven effective. Lastly, I have to examine the ways of making soaps in order to
create my very own recipe of Swietenia Macrophylla soap.
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
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Mahogany Seeds are antibacterial and antimicrobial thus helping to treat malaria and other diseases. It
also have an anti-inflammatory effects. It can help prevent insect bites
In a dictionary, soap is defines as a substance used for washing and cleansing purposes, usually made by
treating a fat with an alkali, as sodium or potassium hydroxide, and consisting chiefly of the sodium or potassium
salts of the acids contained in the fat. If we would visualize soaps, it looks like a rectangular or sometimes, oval
bars that we can usually buy in supermarkets around the globe. Soaps clean the surface of our body to remove dirt
and protect us from germs with the presence of water. We daily use soap to maintain a good hygiene and avoid
bad odors. Soaps can also be moisturizers to help our skin become fair, young, soft, smooth, or healthy. Most
people doesnt know that washing our hands properly and regularly would prevent diseases like flus to attach
them. People should be reminded that our hands are the most usable part our body. We use it to eat, write, count
money, opening doors, dialing and such and as we touch public objects, germs from diseases are passed onto our
hands and throughout our body. We wouldnt want to have a sick so it is important to wash our hands.(Alfajora,
McNaughton and Gatcho, Ampalunggay Soap Quezon City, 2013)
S. macrophylla seeds have been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and anti-tumor
activities and to be effective against diabetes in rats. In Chinese pharmacology and other traditional medicines,
this plant has antipyretic, antifungal, and antihypertensive properties, pharmacological effects obtained from dried
seeds, finely ground to powder. (Chin med; 2013)
The sky fruit seed has been recognized for its unique health effects. It is rich in active ingredients of flavonoids and saponins for anti-bacterial inflammation, to repair tissue and promote blood circulation. It also
regulates blood pressure and sugar levels. The essential oils which are extracted from its seeds when used daily
could help to reveal splendid and healthy looking skin that glows from within. (Greentropicals, 2013)
Coconut Oil nourishes the skin keeping it soft and incredibly smooth. It prevents dry chapped skin,
premature aging and wrinkling. Coconut oil is light and not greasy. It leaves you skin with a radiant, youthful and
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glowing sheen.Coconut oil will not clog pores and it absorbs readily into the skin so it works very well as a
carrier oil for dry, itchy or sensitive skin. Coconut oil is great for soap making because of its resistance to
spoiling, help to create a good hard soap that has a wonderful skin nourishing fluffy lather. (Lawson M.
Columbus Foods, 2002)
Sodium hydroxide is a powerful chemical with many aliases: NaOH, lye and caustic soda. Sodium
hydroxide is often the active agent in cleaning solutions, but it is also used in the manufacturing of products like
textiles, cellophane and paper. This chemical can be very dangerous and can severely damage materials. Humans
should avoid contact with sodium hydroxide without protection; sodium hydroxide can cause severe burns to the
skin and serious tissue damage if gotten in the eyes or inhaled.
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
This chapter presented the research procedures that were employed in this study. This includes the
collection of raw materials and equipments/instruments, grinding of the seed and making of the soap, procedure
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for testing the Mahogany seed Extract Soap, data gathering, evaluation of results and the statistical treatment that
was utilized.
and equipments/instruments
swieteniamacrophylla seed
Data gathering
15
A. Materials
The materials needed in the study includes the following:
11. Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) - Sodium hydroxide is a powerful chemical. Sodium hydroxide is
often the active agent in cleaning solutions.
12. Swieteniamacrophylla seed powder
13. Lavender scent it is used to add some scent in the soap
14. Containers it is used in making the soap. It is where the mixture has done.
15. Pan it is used to heat the coconut oil.
16. Spoon it is used for stirring the mixture.
17. Soap molder it is where the soap poured when he mixture is done
18. Coconut oil it is used because of the incredible lather it produces, the hardness it adds to the
soap, and, when used in moderation, its great moisturizing abilities.
19. Measuring cup it is used to measure the treatments
20. Gloves it is used for protection.
B. Preparation for the powdered swieteniamacrophylla seed
The swieteniamacrophylla seed was collected in the researchers backyard. Then using a hammer
broke down the seed and then ground into a fine powder. After that, put aside the powdered
swieteniamacrophylla seed.
C. Preparation of the Treatments
The powdered swieteniamacrophylla seed will be measured based on their mass to identify the
proportions needed for the study. The first treatment is composed of 55 grams of NaOH, 20 ml of lavender scent
and 25 grams of powdered swieteniamacrophylla seed. The second treatment is composed of 55 grams of NaOH,
10 ml of lavender scent and 35 grams of powdered swieteniamacrophylla seed. The third treatment is composed
of 55 grams of NaOH, 15 ml of lavender scent and 30 grams of powdered swieteniamacrophylla seed.
D. Making of the soap
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After preparing the treatments. Put your gloves on and put two hundred milliliters of water in three
containers labeled as T1, T2 and T3, then put 55 grams of NaOH in each container. Mixed it until the mixtures
cloudy appearance disappears. And while the NaOH is almost ready, put six hundred milliliters of coconut oil in a
pot to heat because the temperature of the oil needs to be at least five to ten Celsius apart from the temperature of
the lye and if not, it can also react and burn. When the oil was heated, slowly put each container with two hundred
milliliters of coconut oil. Mixed it very vigorously for about one and a half hour. As you mixed it, the mixture
becomes dark. Then put the powdered swieteniamacrophylla seed into the mixture. For the container with a label
of T1 put 25 grams of powdered swieteniamacrophylla seed and in T2 put 35 grams of powdered
swieteniamacrophylla seed and in T3 put 30 grams of powdered swieteniamacrophylla seed. After that, we stirred
it again with a spoon just until it became one whole liquid base. It had an unpleasing smell to it so add a Lavender
scent to the mixture. For T1 put 20 ml of lavender scent, in T2 put 10 ml of lavender scent and in T3 put 15 ml of
lavender scent. Then finally poured it into the molders and set it aside with a cloth on top of the molds so that it
absorb the substances that it will release and help the increase the speed of hardening the soap. After a few days,
the soap hardened enough for us to be able to take them out of their molds so we took them out of their molds
then set it in a dry place to let the soap cure for about two months so it can finally be used.
E. Procedure for testing the mahogany seed extract soap
To compare the scent, texture and soap suds among the treatments, 15 respondents will be used to
test the soap. The test subjects will apply the said soap in their hands. They will use the soap twice a
day for three days.
F. Data Gathering
To compare the scent, texture and soap suds among the treatments, 15 respondents will be used to test
the soap. The following Likert scale will be use:
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5- Very Good
4- Good
3- Mildly Good
2- Slightly Good
CHAPTER IV
Results and Discussion
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This chapter presents the necessary gathered data, analyzed, and interpreted to answer the specific
questions of this study. The gathered data were organized, tabulated, statistically treated and analyzed.
Table 1a
Texture Acceptability Test Responses
Summation of Ranks
respondents
Ranks
T1
T2
T3
10
11
12
13
14
15
19
of Ranks
48
44
58
Table 1 shows the summation of ranks among the treatments. Among the three treatments, T3 has the
highest summation of 58 which means that it is the best treatment in terms of acceptability of texture.
Table 1b
Difference in Taste
Among the Treatments under Friedmans Test
No. of Respondents
10
Fr
5.198
Critical Value
2.58
Df
2
Level of significance
0.05
Table 1c
Comparison of the Texture of different treatments
Rank-Sum of
Comparison
Compared
Rank-Sum
Interpretation
T1 VS T2
T1 VS T3
T2 VS T3
Treatments
48-44
48-58
44-58
Difference
4
-10
-14
Rank
T1 VS T2 < 19.6
T1 VS T3 < 19.6
T2 VS T3 < 19.6
not significant
not significant
not significant
It can be gleaned from the table that there is no significant difference among the different treatments of
soap under study. All of the treatments did not show significant difference.
Table 2a
Scent Acceptability Test Responses
Summation of Ranks
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respondents
Ranks
T1
T2
T3
10
11
12
13
14
15
of Ranks
5
61
4
40
2
36
Table 2a shows the summation of ranks among the treatments. Among the three treatments, T1 has the
highest summation of 61 which means this is the best treatment in terms of the acceptability of scent.
Table 2b
Difference in Scent among the Treatments
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Fr
6.123
Critical Value
3.14
Df
2
Level of significance
0.05
Table 2c
Comparison of the Odor
Of different Treatments
Rank-Sum of
Comparison
Compared
Rank-Sum
Comparison with
Interpretation
T1 VS T2
T1 VS T3
T2 VS T3
Treatments
61-40
61-36
40-36
Difference
21
25
4
LSD Rank
T1 VS T2 > 19.6
T1 VS T3 > 19.6
T2 VS T3 < 19.6
significant
significant
not significant
It is shown on the table that there is a significant difference among the different treatments of soap under
study. Most of the treatments significantly differ aside from T2 vs T3 did not show significant differences.
Table 3a
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respondents
Ranks
T1
T2
T3
10
11
12
13
14
15
of Ranks
5
62
2
39
3
41
Table 3a shows the summation of ranks among the treatments. Among the three, T1 has the highest
summation of 59 which means that this is the best treatment in terms of Soap suds.
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Table 3b
Difference in Soap suds Acceptability among
The treatments under the Friedmans Test
No. of Respondents
10
Fr
5.148
Critical Value
2.58
Df
2
Level of significance
0.05
Table 3c
Comparison of the Soap suds Acceptability
Of different treatments
Rank-Sum of
Comparison
Compared
Rank-Sum
Comparison with
Interpretation
T1 VS T2
T1 VS T3
T2 VS T3
Treatments
62-39
62-41
39-41
Difference
23
21
-2
LSD Rank
T1 VS T2> 19.6
T1 VS T3> 19.6
T2 VS T3 < 19.6
significant
significant
significant
It is shown on the table that there is a significant difference among the different treatments of soap under
study. Most of the treatments significantly differ aside from T2 vs T3 did not show significant differences.
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CHAPTER V
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
Summary
In summary, the experiment still turned out to be pretty successful. For me, first time making soap, the
results were very good. The outcome was not perfect for a few reasons like the solution seemed burnt, the mixture
didnt reach trace with our efforts of mixing and the soap itself looked a little bit too oily which could have
caused it to not solidify properly but its actually fine. The oil turned out to be too hot compared to the NaOH so
the NaOH reacted to the oil and burned. Then after that I think that I did not stir the mixture properly enough to
the stage that it would be able to be molded into soap or is called by soap makers as trace.
Soap making is not an easy task to do especially because you are dealing with sodium hydroxide that is a
very reactive chemical. My goal was to make cheap and organic skin care soap. But the truth is that there is really
no such thing as a one hundred percent organic soap because the main ingredient needed for it is NaOH, which
is a chemical itself.
I conclude that making soap is fun and can be easy but requires much research before even daring to deal
with it. I definitely did not lack in research but I was short on some materials. I did not have a thermometer at that
instance which is important for people who arent experienced in making soap and measuring the temperature of
the NaOH and oil so the mixture burnt a little bit and that is why I think that my soap solution did not reach
saponification properly. I also did not have an electric mixer that is required when making soap so that the
solution thickens up easily and that is the reason I assume why the solution just did not thicken at all. I learn
through the experiment that exact measurements were really needed so that the mixture saponificates.
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Conclusion
Based from the result of the study, the researcher came up with the following conclusions:
1. There is a significant difference among the three treatments of Swietenia macrophylla seed as an additive in
making soap.
2. Swietenia Macrophylla seed is effective as a soap.
3. It is possible to use Swietenia macrophylla seed as soap.
4. Treatment 1 is the best treatment in soap suds and texture.
Recommendations
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I suggest that to anyone who is thinking of making soap for themselves for and reason should do some
proper research before deciding to do it. In some instances, buying soap could be more preferable or ideal than
taking a risk and making your own because not everyone is successful on their first or even second try. But if you
really want to make your own soap, do not just research, try to ask someone who has already made soap or is
making it for a living for advice. And finally, if you are set on making soap, be sure to have the proper and
complete materials you need; like a thermometer and electric mixer especially when it is your first time making
soap.
If you try or attempt making soap for the time, we would strongly suggest for you to use a large pot when
mixing the oil(s) with the NaOH because if you make a mistake like me on getting the right temperature, the
mixture will react and will bubble a lot and if youre not doing it in a large pot, it overflows and it will certainly
get very messy; you would not want that to happen. Also be sure to have proper measuring materials that will
withstand NaOH and high temperatures. And if youre going to use a spoon or any other mixing apparatus besides
an electric mixer, make sure it is made of a material that wouldnt possibly melt in NaOH. And of course, safety
is important so wear gloves, goggles and a mask when you are doing the procedure and always have vinegar near
you so in case you get NaOH on your hands or any other part of your body, you can easily wash it off with
vinegar as water wouldnt work.
Bibliography
Reid T. (2013). How to make soap at home using all natural ingredients. Retrieved from
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