Chapter 13 : Physicochemical properties of soap bar formulated using natural Colourant and fragrance from Clitoria Ternatea and Citrus Hystrix

Abstract

Soap is one of essential personal care products used for cleaning and washing in our daily tasks. It is a cleansing agent made from alkaline bases and fatty acids through a process referred as saponification. Thus, it consists of sodium or potassium salt of such acids. Natural soap or soap using natural ingredients is a simple variation of soap where natural bioactive ingredients are added to give more variety of biological activities in the final products. Plant extracts are a rich source of bioactive ingredients that can be developed into antibacterial, anti- inflammatory and antioxidant agents. Other than that, many plant extracts have long been used as remedy for common diseases, fragrances, colourant, as well as cosmetics. Soaps incorporated with these active extracts have higher market value for their additional beneficial activities on top of the common cleansing and washing properties.Clitoria ternatea (C. ternatea) or the butterfly pea can be found in Asia, Africa, America and Australia.