Formulation Development and Evaluation of Herbal Based Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Powder

Abstract

The present study focuses on the formulation and evaluation of an herbal anti-dandruff shampoo powder incorporating natural ingredients such as Rosemary, Methi, Hibiscus, Neem, Ashwagandha, Reetha, Amla, Cinnamon, Kalonji, and Rose powder. The herbal powders were individually weighed, size-reduced using a mortar and pestle, and mixed thoroughly to achieve a homogeneous fine powder, which was then sieved through a 100-mesh sieve. The physicochemical evaluation revealed that the pH of the formulation (5.75) is within the ideal range for scalp health. The shampoo powder exhibited good washability, average foaming capacity, and desirable solubility. General powder characteristics confirmed its excellent flow properties. The moisture content was 3.41%, ensuring stability and minimizing microbial contamination. The total ash value and acid-insoluble ash indicated minimal impurities. The sensory evaluation confirmed a brown-colored, fine, smooth-textured formulation with characteristic odor and taste. These findings suggest that the herbal shampoo powder possesses desirable physicochemical properties, cleansing efficiency, and scalp compatibility, making it a promising natural alternative for hair care.

Keywords

Introduction

EVALUATION PARAMETERS [10-17]:

Organoleptic evaluation: Colour, taste, smell and texture were all evaluated as part of the organoleptic evaluation process.

General powder characteristic:

Angle of repose:

The fixed funnel method was used to calculate the angle of repose. A vertically adjustable funnel was used to pour the mixture until the desired maximum cone height (h) was reached. The following formula was used to determine the angle of repose and measure the heap's radius (r):

Angle of repose θ=tan^-1hr

The radius of the base pile is denoted by r, the height of the pile by h, and the angle of repose by θ.

Table 2: Angle of repose

Bulk density:

The precisely weighed powder was poured into a graduated cylinder to measure bulk density. The powder's weight (M) and bulk volume (Vb) were calculated. The following formula was used to get the bulk density:

Bulk density (BD) =  Weight of powderMBulk volume (Vb)

Tapped density:

The 100 ml measuring cylinder was filled with the sample powder. A after that a fixed number of taps (100) where applied to the cylinder. Record the final volume and by the following equation the tapped density was calculated.

Tapped Density (TD) = Weight of powderMTapped volume (Vt)

Hausner's ratio:

The Hausner's ratio is an index of ease of flow of powder. The    Hausner's ratio less than 1.25 indicates good flow. It is calculated by the formula

Hausner’s ratio = Tapped DensityBulk Density

Table 3: Hausner's ratio

Carr’s index:

One of the most crucial metrics for describing the characteristics of powders and granules is Carr's index. From the following equation it can be calculated and category of Carr’s Index is shown in the table 4.

Carr’s Index (I) = Tapped densityTD - Bulk density (BD)Tapped density (TD)  

* 100

Table 4: Carr’s Index

Physicochemical Evaluation:

pH:  The pH of a 10% shampoo solution in distilled water was measured at room temperature (25°C). The solution was prepared by dissolving the shampoo powder in distilled water, ensuring complete dispersion. The pH measurement was carried out using a digital pH meter.

Washability: The washability of the shampoo formulations was evaluated by manually applying the prepared shampoo powder to the skin and assessing its ease of removal with water. The extent of washability was determined based on the time required for complete rinsing and the presence of any residual formulation on the skin. This evaluation was conducted under standard conditions to ensure consistency in results.

Solubility: It is referring to the ability of a substance to dissolve in a given solvent, typically expressed in terms of parts of solvent required to dissolve one gram of a solid or one milliliter of a liquid. When the solubility of a pharmacopeial substance is not precisely known, descriptive terms are used to indicate its approximate solubility range. These descriptive terms include very soluble, freely soluble, soluble, sparingly soluble, slightly soluble, very slightly soluble and practically insoluble, based on the amount of solvent required for dissolution [18,19].

Table 5: Solubility Classification

Moisture Content: The moisture content of the herbal shampoo powder was determined using the loss on drying (LOD) method. Precisely 10 g of the shampoo powder was weighed and placed in a hot air oven set at 105°C. The sample was dried for an initial period, followed by additional 30-minute intervals until a constant weight was achieved, indicating the complete removal of moisture. The moisture content of each sample was then calculated using the formula:

This method ensures accurate assessment of residual moisture, which is crucial for stability, microbial resistance and shelf life of the herbal shampoo powder.

Ash value: The ash value determination was carried out to estimate the total inorganic content present in the herbal shampoo powder. Approximately 2 g of the powdered formulation was placed on a pre-weighed silica crucible and initially incinerated at a low temperature. The heat was gradually increased until the sample was completely burned, reaching a red-hot state. The crucible was then allowed to cool in a desiccator and the remaining ash was weighed. The total ash content was calculated using the formula:

Acid-Insoluble Ash Value: It is determined to assess the presence of silica, sand and other insoluble impurities in the herbal shampoo powder. The total ash obtained from the previous ash value test was boiled with 25 mL of dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) for 5 minutes to dissolve acid-soluble materials. The insoluble residue was then collected in a Gooch crucible, washed thoroughly with hot water to remove any remaining acid, and then ignited in a muffle furnace until a constant weight was achieved. The crucible was allowed to cool in a desiccator and the final weight was recorded. The acid-insoluble ash was calculated using the formula:

Foaming Capacity: The foaming capacity of the herbal shampoo powder was evaluated using a foam stability test. Precisely 2 g of the shampoo powder was dispersed in 50 mL of water in a graduated cylinder. The mixture was shaken vigorously for a fixed duration to generate foam. The foam height was recorded immediately and then at specific time intervals to assess foam stability. The foaming capacity was calculated by measuring the initial foam volume and its retention over time.

This test determines the cleansing efficiency and surfactant properties of the herbal shampoo powder, which are critical for its effectiveness in removing dirt and oil [20,21].

RESULTS & DISCUSSION:

Organoleptic Evaluation:

Table 6: Organoleptic Evaluation Results:

General Powder Characteristic:

The general powder characteristics of the herbal shampoo powder were evaluated to assess its flowability, density and compressibility, which are critical for formulation stability and ease of handling. The angle of repose was found to be 24.7°, indicating good flow properties. The bulk density and tapped density were recorded as 0.45 gm/mL and 0.52 gm/mL, respectively, demonstrating a slight increase upon tapping, which suggests minimal particle rearrangement. The Hausner’s ratio, calculated as 1.18, falls within the acceptable range, confirming good flowability. Similarly, the compressibility index was determined to be 8.61%, further indicating excellent powder flow properties with minimal compressibility. These results suggest that the herbal shampoo powder exhibits ideal physical characteristics for formulation, packaging and application, ensuring ease of use and consistent performance.

Table 7: General Powder Characteristics

Physicochemical Evaluation:

The physicochemical evaluation of the herbal shampoo powder was conducted to assess its pH, washability, foaming capacity, solubility, moisture content and ash values, which are essential parameters for determining its quality, effectiveness and stability. The pH of the 10% shampoo solution was found to be 5.75, which is close to the natural pH of the scalp and hair, ensuring mildness and minimal irritation. The shampoo was found to be easily washable, indicating good rinsability without leaving residue. The foaming capacity was reported as average, suggesting moderate surfactant action for effective cleansing. The formulation was soluble, ensuring proper dispersion in water. The moisture content was 3.41%, which is within the acceptable range, ensuring stability and prevention of microbial growth. The total ash value was 4.7%, representing the total inorganic content, while the acid-insoluble ash was 1.08%, indicating the presence of minimal earthy and siliceous impurities. These findings confirm that the herbal shampoo powder meets the required quality standards, ensuring good cleansing efficiency, scalp compatibility, and formulation stability.

Table 8: Physicochemical Evaluation of Herbal Shampoo Powder

CONCLUSION

The formulated herbal anti-dandruff shampoo powder demonstrated optimal physicochemical properties, good flow characteristics, and effective cleansing ability. The pH of 5.75 ensures scalp compatibility, while the moisture content (3.41%) and ash values confirm formulation stability and minimal contamination. The washability and foaming properties suggest ease of application and effective dirt removal. The organoleptic evaluation confirmed an appealing appearance, texture, and characteristic herbal odor. The results validate the potential of herbal ingredients in hair care formulations, providing an eco-friendly, chemical-free alternative to synthetic shampoos. Further studies, including microbial analysis and stability studies, can enhance its commercial viability and consumer acceptability.

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