TITLE:
Valorization of Cucurbita pepo Seed Oil in Soap Production
AUTHORS:
Guy Crépin Enoua, Aristide H. W. Nakavoua, Victor N’goka, Tony Wheellyam Pouambeka, Prince Maho Diafouana Mahoungou, Narcisse Nicaise Obaya, Alain Brice Mbozo Vouidibio, Hubert Makomo, Robin Pascal Ongoka
KEYWORDS:
Valorization, Cucurbita pepo Seeds, Cucurbita pepo Oil, Soap, Antibacterial Activity
JOURNAL NAME:
Green and Sustainable Chemistry,
Vol.12 No.4,
November
16,
2022
ABSTRACT: The present study was conducted with the aim of extracting and characterising Cucurbita pepo seed oil and then producing soap with important
dermatological properties. The physico-chemical results of the Cucurbita
pepo seed oil after extraction were satisfactory and indicate that the oil
obtained contains long-carbonaceous fatty acids. The production of the soap was
based on the realisation of a saponification reaction by reflux heating between
the extracted oil and a solution of soduim hydroxyde 7M for one hour. The soap
obtained is characterised by the following physico-chemical parameters: salt
content, alkali content, pH, and humidity; which meet ISO 684-1974 standards.
The antibacterial parameters of the soaps S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 and S6 were
determined by the Agar Diffusion test using the well method and these soaps
showed an interesting antibacterial activity against the germs pseudomonas
aeruginosa and staphylococcus aureus. Soaps based on Raffia sese oil (kolo oil) and Elaesis guineensis oil (palm oil) have also been synthesized for comparison
with soap obtained from Cucurbita pepo seed oil.