Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology

Department of Chemical Engineering

Utilization of Coconut oil as Surfactant and Glycerol as Moisturizing Agent in the Production
of Moisturizing Bar Soap

I. Introduction
Cleanliness and safety are two of the vital needs of a human being. The demand
for cleanliness and safety paved the way for mankind to produce cleansing agents called
soaps.
Soaps were already manufactured by our ancestors to supply their need for
cleanliness. It was recorded in history from cuneiform tablets that 5000 years ago the
Sumerians were boiling ashes together with animal and vegetable fats to make a slurry
that they used for cleaning. Similar recipes for soap made from alkaline salts mixed with
oils have been found on Egyptian papyri.
Soaps are cleaning specialists that are typically made by its reaction with alkali
with naturally happening fat or unsaturated fats. This exothermic chemical reaction is
called saponification. The reaction produces sodium salts of these fatty acids, which
enhance the cleaning procedure by improving water ready to lift away oily stains from
skin, hair, garments, and anything else. As a substance that has helped clean bodies as
well as possessions, soap has been remarkably useful. Soap usually comes in a solid,
molded form, called a bar, based on its typical shape.
Soaps are composed of three general components namely surfactants, alkali
builders and additives.
Surfactants represent the most important group of soap and detergent
components. Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension between two
liquids or between a liquid and a solid. They may act as detergents, wetting agents,
emulsifiers, foaming agents, and dispersants. To achieve desired outcome, surfactants
are chosen strictly. Coconut oil may serve as a good surfactant.
 Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

Alkali builders enhance the detergency action so that less can be used of the
more expensive soaps of high activity.
Additives are secondary components which are not necessarily required but can
enhance the soap quality when added. Nowadays, additives and extracts are added for
the improvement of soaps. An example of additive is glycerol which is a byproduct of
saponification and is a good moisturizing agent.
The most common and first type of soap is the bar soap. Bar soaps has the same
purpose with liquid soaps. The conventional bar soaps are produced using oils, fats or
their fatty acids that are reacted with inorganic water soluble bases. The primary
sources of fats are meat and lamb tallow, while coconut, palm and palm piece oils are
the principle oils that are utilized as a part of cleanser assembling. The crude materials
of a bar cleanser can be pretreated to eradicate impurities and to accomplish the
desired color, scent and execution attributes sought in the completed bar.
Nowadays, bar soap production has reached several enhancements and
upgrades due to the changes in interests of consumers.

With all these put into consideration, the group’s research work entitled;
“Utilization of Coconut oil as Surfactant and Glycerol as Moisturizing Agent in the
Production of Moisturizing Bar Soap” was proposed.

II. Statement of the Problem

It was observed in some bar soap brands that they contain harmful chemicals
that cause minimal irritation and dryness to the human skin. Some moisturizing bar soaps
softens and dissolves quickly. Also, several moisturizing bar soaps are unreasonably priced
given the raw materials. Thus the researchers’ primary objective is to yield a bar soap which
is not only cost efficient but also moisturizes the skin without harming it.
 Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

III. Objectives
A. General Objective
The objective is to produce a moisturizing bar soap by utilizing coconut oil as the
surfactant and glycerol as moisturizing agent.
B. Specific Objective
1. To determine the operating parameters and conditions which are needed in
order to create a quality moisturizing bar soap.
2. To produce a moisturizing bar soap that conforms to those commercially
available ones.
3. To associate the laboratory equipment used in the laboratory to the
corresponding industrial equipment.
4. To emulate the manufacturing process in the industry to the unit process in
the laboratory.
5. To compare the solubility of the final output with the existing products.

IV. Significance of the Study

The study aims to provide different significance to different sectors of the community.
To the Consumers
The production of this soap will be very beneficial to the consumers who are in dire
need of efficient yet more economical soap compared to the commercial soap in the
market.
To the Market Sector
According to a study conducted to 3,000 respondents on February 2014-January 2015,
moisturizers are becoming more in-demand compared to astringents or exfoliants and facial
washes. High demand on moisturizing soap will bring this product to success.
To the Fashion Industry
Having smooth and glowing skin is very essential for men and women nowadays. The
production of this might be very useful in maintaining a smooth and glowing skin.
 Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

V. Review of Related Literature

Soaps are carboxylate salts with very long hydrocarbon chains. Soap can be made from
the base hydrolysis of a fat or an oil. This hydrolysis is called saponification, and the reaction
has been known for centuries. Traditionally, soaps were made from animal fat and lye (NaOH).
(Lye was traditionally made by pouring water through wood ashes.) Fats and oils are triesters of
glycerol and three fatty acids. Esters can be hydrolyzed to their alcohol and carboxylic acid
components in the presence of acid or base. Fats, oils, and fatty acids are insoluble in water
because their hydrophobic tails are so long. If a base is used for hydrolysis, the fatty acids
produced are deprotonated and are present as the corresponding carboxylate salts. Because
these product carboxylate salts are charged, they are much more soluble in water than the
corresponding uncharged fatty acids. Since the carboxylate salts also each have a long nonpolar
tail, they are also compatible with nonpolar greases and oils.

A. Raw Materials
Glycerol
Glycerol is a clear, colorless, viscous, sweet-tasting liquid belonging to the
alcohol family of organic compounds; molecular formula HOCH2CHOHCH2OH. Until
1948 all glycerol was obtained as a by-product in making soaps from animal and
vegetable fats and oils, but industrial syntheses based on propylene or sugar has
accounted for an increasingly large percentage of production since that time.
Soaps with glycerol are considered to be one of the most moisturizing types of
soap. The unique quality of this type of soap allows it to be both moisturizing and
effective for all different kinds of skin. The benefits of glycerin soap help your skin
become healthy and moisturized.

Glycerol is thought to be a humectant, which means that it can attract moisture.

Due to this quality, glycerin soaps attract moisture to your skin and keep it locked in.
 Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

This provides your skin constant hydration. Unlike some soap that dries your skin out
and make it feel tight and even flaky, glycerin soap keeps your skin feeling more
hydrated for several hours after you use it. Using glycerin soap on a regular basis can
help your skin become softer and suppler.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is undoubtedly the best skin care agent you can use. That being said,
a small amount of people are allergic to coconut oil, and can show irritation. Its stability,
antimicrobial properties, moisture retaining capacity, and ability to solidify below 240 C
makes it an ideal protective agent against cracking of the skin. Vitamin-E adds to this
property immensely.

The amount of coconut oil used for soap making is largely dependent on what
type of bar is being produced. For instance, if the soap to be produced is for facial
purposes, then the most tolerable amount is 20%.Too much coconut oil will produce an
overly drying product, while smaller amounts will actually add moisturizing properties to
your soap. For this reason, when creating a facial soap that needs to be mild, make sure
that you use coconut oil in moderation.

However, if the soap has to have an incredible lather, cleans extremely well, and
is very hard, the amount of coconut oil should be added liberally. In creating a soap that
is appealing to a maritime area applying 100% coconut oil would be a good decision. It is
known that a 100% coconut oil soap is often referred to as a "seaman's soap" mainly
because of the fact that it does have the ability to produce a lather in salt water.
(Coconut Oil for Soap Making, 2015)
 Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

Sodium Hydroxide

Industrially, soap is made by reaction of sodium hydroxide with vegetable fat or

a form of beef or mutton fat called ‘tallow’. It is important to use enough NaOH to
ensure complete saponification of triglycerides. If insufficient base, time, heat is
provided the result is incomplete saponification and a soap product that can be very
brittle. Once the saponification reaction is complete, sodium chloride is added to
precipitate the soap. The aqueous portion is decanted off. The remaining substance is
crude soap which contains some impurities such as sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide
and residual glycerol.

Cocodiethanolamide (CDEA)
Coco Diethanolamide, also known as Coco Amide DEA, coconut oil
diethanolamine, or Cocamide diethanolamine, is a diethanolamine made by reacting the
mixture of fatty acids from coconut oils with diethanolamine. It is a viscous liquid and is
used as a foaming agent in bath products like shampoos and hand soaps, and in
cosmetics as an emulsifying agent. This product is generally used as a foam booster and
viscosity builder for soapy materials. It is a non-ionic surfactant with excellent cleansing
property and solvency. (Winsby, 2013)

B. Processes Involved

Cold-process Saponification
Saponification is the name for a chemical reaction between an acid and a base to
form a salt. When you make soap using the cold process soap making method, you mix
an oil or fat (acid) with Lye (base) to form soap (salt).Cold process soaps uses the
exothermic heat reaction that is created from the acid and base reaction of the fatty
acids and the lye solution. (Tyree, 2015)
 Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

According to Amrita Online Labs, Soaps are sodium or potassium salts of long
chain fatty acids. When triglycerides in fat/oil react with aqueous NaOH or KOH, they
are converted into soap and glycerol. This is called alkaline hydrolysis of esters. Since
this reaction leads to the formation of soap, it is called the saponification process.

Most of what we call dirt is grease or oil which will not come off with just water.
This is because oil and grease are non-polar, which means they will not dissolve in the
water.
Soap can mix with both water and with oil because the soap molecule has two
different ends, one that is hydrophilic that binds with water and the other that is
hydrophobic that binds with grease and oil. (Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Co., 2016)

When greasy dirt is mixed with soapy water, the soap molecules arrange
themselves into tiny clusters called micelles.
 Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

The hydrophilic part of the soap molecules sticks to the water and points
outwards, forming the outer surface of the micelle.

The hydrophobic parts stick to the oil and trap oil in the center where it can't
come into contact with the water. With the oil tucked safely in the center, the micelle is
soluble in water. As the soapy water is rinsed away the greasy dirt goes along with it.

VI. Methodology
Procedure
A. Preparation of Raw Materials
1. Measuring of reagents
The reagents needed for the first product are:
(1) 2.2 oz distilled H2O;
(2) 5 oz Coconut oil;
(3) 30 mL Glycerol;
(4) 1.1 oz Sodium Hydroxide;
(5) 5 drops Flower Bouquet Fragrance; and
(6) 7.5 mL Coco Diethanalomide
The measurements of reagents must be accurate to obtain the desired quality of
soap product.

Percentage Composition
5
10
Water + NaOH
10 Coconut oil
50 Glycerol
CDEA

25 Fragrance
 Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

2. Cleaning of apparatus
It is necessary to clean all the equipment before using it to avoid unwanted substance.
B. Major Process
1. Mixing
a. Boil tap water in water bath on electric stove. Put 250-mL beaker containing 2.2
oz of distilled water in the water bath. When the water in the beaker is boiling, pour
into a 500-mL beaker.
b. Prepare 2 trials with varying compositions:
Trial 1: 50% Lye 10% CDEA 10% Glycerol
Trial 2: 25% Lye 5% CDEA 15% Glycerol
c. Heat the coconut oil for 5 minutes to degrees Celsius.
d. When the mixture has cooled it is time to gradually add the coconut oil. Keep
stirring the mixture in the same direction until you feel it thicken. Then add the
CDEA to the mixture and stir. When it is almost set, if you want to you can add in
the glycerol and the fragrance. Finally, when you get an even mixture, just pour
it into a mold, which is broad and shallow. The next day, it will have turned into a
more solid mass.
3. Packaging
Then you must let the pieces sit for 15-30 days to give them enough time
to harden before you can start using them.
 Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

Summary of Process

Unit Equivalent
Apparatus Equivalent Equipment
Operation Manufacturing Process

Digital Scale,
Measuring of Delivery of pre-
Graduated Cylinder, Industrial Scale
Materials measured raw materials
Pipette
Mixing of Mixing Tank, Industrial
Stick Blender, Basin Mixing
Reagents Mixer

Plastic Container Bottle Packaging

Packaging Packaging
equipment/machinery

VII. Data and Results

Table 1: Bar Soap Formulation Trials

Reagent Bubble Appearance/

Trial Hardness
Proportion Formation Observation

50% Lye
Firm, Hardens
Trial 1 10% CDEA Hard Substantial
quickly
10% Glycerol
25% Lye
Pudding-like,
Trial 2 5% CDEA Very Soft Insubstantial
Curdled feature
15% Glycerol
 Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

Table 2: Dissolution

Initial weight Final weight Time Soaked Weight

Product
(g) (g) (min) Difference
Experimental
39.2 36.5 5 min 2.7 g
Bar Soap
Commercial
Bar Soap 39.9 37.2 5 min 2.7 g
(Dove)

Table 3: Ph Test

Product PH

Experimental Bar Soap 10

Commercial Bar Soap
6
(Dove)

VIII. Analysis of Data and Results

Based on Table 1, the first trial was better than the second trial due to the
practical composition of CDEA, Lye and Glycerol. The second trial was observed to be
very soft which makes sense because the amount of lye contributes in the hardening
time of the soap. Also, glycerol is a component which increases moisture and when
there is excessive moisture, hardening will be hindered. A perfect soap formula cleanses
without being overly drying, and has just the right amount of skin nourishing oils and
additives. The soap in trial 1 is a rock hard bar of soap that is long lasting.

In the dissolution test, both soaps were initially weighed then soaked in water
for 5 minutes then weighed again to determine the weight difference. In the end of the
 Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

test, both subjects obtained the same weight change. Therefore it is safe to say that the
experimental moisturizing bar soap matches the commercially available product in this
particular area.
According to the last test which is the pH test, the pH of the experimental bar
soap is within the safe zone which means it can moisturize and cleanse human skin
without causing irritations.

IX. Conclusion
In comparing the outputs of the two trials, the desired hardness and lather
formation was achieved in the first trial. In the second trial, the inaccuracy of the
measurement was the primary source of error which led to its unsuccessful result. Other
errors observed was the incorrect formulation of trial 2, having more glycerol and less
lye, which resulted to a very soft soap which is pudding-like, greasy and curdled. The
amount of CDEA in trial 2 lacked and resulted to insubstantial bubble formation.
In terms of solubility, it is safe to say that the experimental bar soap matches the
commercially available bar. Both decreased 2.7 g in weight after being soaked.
The pH of the experimental bar soap recorded is a safe product to use because it
is within the safe range of pH for soaps. The experimental bar was tested on human skin
and caused no harmful reactions. In addition, it left provided a moisturized and cleansed
feeling after use.

X. Recommendation
This segment is for future analysts and researchers who can possibly enhance
our product. The following are advised for the improvement of the product:
1. Consider cheaper but complementary reagents as alternatives while
retaining the original product’s quality.
2. Make use of a different surfactant that would match or possibly exceed the
quality of coconut oil. You can use several surfactants.
 Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

3. Research other feasible and possibly more effective and natural moisturizing
agents other than glycerol.

XI. References

(n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2016, from Amrita Online Abs: amrita.olabs.edu.in,. (2013).
Saponification-The process of Making Soap. Retrieved 22 June 2016, from
amrita.olabs.edu.in/?sub=73&brch=3&sim=119&cnt=1

(2012). Retrieved July 2, 2016, from Organic Facts: https://www.organicfacts.net

Coconut Oil for Soap Making. (2015).

Properties of Coconut Oil. (2012). Retrieved July 2, 2016, from Organic Facts:
https://www.organicfacts.net

Saponification-The process of Making Soap. (n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2016, from Amrita Online
Labs: http://amrita.olabs.edu.in/?sub=73&brch=3&sim=119&cnt=1

Tyree, L. S. (n.d.). The Difference between Hot Process and Cold Process Soaps. Retrieved June 22,
2016, from Handmade Soap Coach: http://handmadesoapcoach.com/the-difference-between-
hot-process-and-cold-process-soaps/