Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Paper Soap from Punica Granatum and Curcuma Longa

Herbal paper soap is a lightweight, biodegradable made up of thin sheets of paper mixed with soap solution which incorporated with herbal ingredients that dissolve in water and produce adequate foam.⁽¹⁾ Paper soap is innovation in the field of modern toiletries and alternative to traditional soaps and synthetic products.⁽²⁾ Because,it is a portable and  a pocket-sized product for cleaning hands. This herbal soap basically consists of pomegranate peel extract and turmeric extract. They provide anti-bacterial, anti-aging, antioxidant, antiseptic effect. The herbal ingredients provide additional therapeutic benefits rather than cleansing action. The pomegranate peel contains the highest concentration of phenolic compounds which provide anti -bacterial activity and also the traces of curcumin contribute anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties.

AIM

The aim of the project work is to formulate and evaluate the herbal paper soap containing Punica granatum and Curcuma longa for the cleansing property.

OBJECTIVES

• Perform the extraction of bioactive constituents from pomegranate peel
• Perform the extraction of   curcuma longa from turmeric
• Formulate herbal paper soap using extract of pomegranate and turmeric
• Evaluate the physicochemical properties of the formulated herbal paper soap.

REVIEW LITERATURE

1. Ancy Antony,et al.,(2025),reviewed that formulate and evaluate antibacterial herbal paper soap using Ocimum basilicum essential oil extracted by hydro-distillation. The biodegradable formulation was tested for pH, foam stability, spreadability, solubility, and antibacterial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa⁽³⁾.
2. Priyanka Mandal,et al., (2021),reviewd that formulation and evaluation of herbal soap strips using neem (Azadirachta indica) for its strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. The biodegradable strips were easy to use, skin-friendly, and effective against dermal infections.
3. Joshi Naresh Dilip et, al., (2019) ,reviewed that extracted curcumin from turmeric (Curcuma longa) using a Soxhlet apparatus with acetone as the solvent. The study demonstrated that. curcumin has strong antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties.
4. N.S.Al Zorkey et,al.,(2009), reviewed that Punica granatum peel extracts inhibited Staphylococcus aureus growth and reduced the production of bacterial enterotoxins.
5. Sai Prakash and Indra Prakash et al.,(2017),reviewed scientific information on the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Punica granatum (pomegranate), with special emphasis on its juice, seed, and peel. The literature highlights that pomegranate is a rich source of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, ellagitannins, flavonoids, fatty acids, and organic acids, which are responsible for its antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ingredients: Pomegranate peel extract, Turmeric extract, KOH, Glycerine, Castor oil, Coconut oil, NaCl, Citric acid, orange oil, Distilled water.

Collection: Pomegranate and turmeric were collected from local market, Kanjirappally

Equipment: The equipments were soxlet apparatus, hot air oven, digital pH meter.

Preparation of pomegranate peel extraction: The pomegranate peel was thoroughly washed with distilled water. The pomegranate peel was sun-dried for 3–4 days to preserve its natural richness, then finely ground into a soft, fragrant powder ready for formulation. Dried pomegranate peels were coarsely grinded. The weighed sample was dropped in the Soxhlet extractor apparatus. The extraction proceed for 8 hours using ethanol as the solvent.⁽⁴⁾

Preparation of turmeric extract: Take fleshy rhizomes of turmeric. The rhizomes of turmeric were dried in oven at 105°C for 3 hr. Dried rhizome were grinded and obtained uniform powder. The turmeric powder was stored in refrigerator to prevent moisture uptake.⁽⁵⁾ 10 g turmeric powder was weighed and kept in the Soxhlet apparatus which was gradually filled with acetone as the extraction solvent. The extraction was carried out at 60 °C within 8 h. After the extraction, the acetone was separated from the extract by solvent evaporation method.⁽⁶⁾

Preparation of soap solution:

• Measure 30 ml of glycerine and heat it to 60 °C.

• Weigh 8 ml of coconut oil in a beaker and gently heat it to melt the oil.
• Measure 4 ml of castor oil and add it to the melted coconut oil.
• Mix the oils by continuous stirring.
• Add the heated glycerine to the oil mixture and stir continuously.
• Prepare the alkali solution by dissolving 15 g of potassium hydroxide in 50 ml of water.
• Slowly pour the KOH solution into the oil mixture with gentle stirring.
• Heat the mixture and maintain the temperature between 60–70 °C.
• Stir continuously during heating to prevent foaming.
• If excessive foaming occurs, remove the beaker from the water bath until the foam subsides.
• Continue heating after foaming subsides.
• Heat the mixture for 2–3 hours until complete saponification occurs.
• Prepare sodium chloride solution by dissolving 16 g of NaCl in 300 ml of water.
• Add the NaCl solution to the soap mixture with continuous stirring.
• Finally, add citric acid to adjust the pH.
• Add 3.5 ml of pomegranate peel extract and 1.5 ml of turmeric extract to the fully saponified soap with continuous stirring until completely dissolved.
• Add orange essential oil to the liquid soap and mix thoroughly.
• Prepare the herbal paper soap using the dipping technique.

Table No:1 Ingredients of herbal paper soap

                              Fig .No.1: Cellulose Paper                            Fig .No.2: Formulated liquid soap

                           Fig. No.3: Herbal Paper Soap                             Fig.no.4: Herbal paper soap

RESULTS

1. Physical appearance:

Table No :2 Physical appearance

2. pH:

The pH of the paper soap was found to be in the range of 6.29. As the skin have an acidic pH range of about 4.1 to 6.7, this pH of the formulation is suitable for skin.

Fig. No.5: Image representing the pH value of the sample

3. Foam height:

The foam height of the paper soap was found to be good, indicating adequate foaming ability. On shaking the soap solution, a stable foam column was formed, showing that the formulation possesses acceptable cleansing properties. Foam height observed was around 7.5 cm, which is suitable for hand cleansing purpose.

Fig.No.6: Picture showing the Foam height

4. Foam retention:

The foam produced by the paper soap remained stable for a considerable period. There was only a slight decrease in foam volume after 10 minutes, indicating good foam stability. Foam retention was satisfactory, showing good stability of the formulation.

Fig.No.7: figure showing the Foam retention

5. Total Moisture Content:

The total moisture content of the prepared paper soap was determined to assess its dryness and shelf stability. The formulation showed low moisture content, indicating good drying and reduced risk of microbial growth. Total moisture content was found 3.3% which is within acceptable limits for paper soap.

Fig.No.8: Image showing the moisture content

6. Solubility test:

The quality control test is performed to determine the time taken by the paper soap to dissolve completely and leaving without any residue. The high quality paper dissolves within seconds 60 sec or less without any residue. the paper dissolve within 5 sec, which indicate the paper has good quality and dissolves quickly.

Fig.No.9: Picture showing the Determination of Solubility

Table No :3 Determination of paper solubility

7. Spreadability

The spreadability of soap solution was observed as better spreadability on paper.

Fig.No.10: Determination of Paper spreadability

Table No:4 Determination of paper spreadability

8. Washability:

The test was performed to determine how easily the light weight, water soluble cellulose paper breaks down, produce foam and dissolve without remain any residue. This ensures the cleansing action and ability of paper soap to remove dirt and germs.

Fig No.11: Image showing the Determination of washability

9. Phytochemical Screening of Pomegranate Peel Extract

Table No:6 Phytochemical screening of pomegranate peel extract

Chemical test	Experiment	Observation	Inference
Test for tannins: Lead acetate test	Take 1 ml of extract of, few drops of 1% lead acetate is added to the mixture is shaken well.	Yellowish precipitate is produced	Presence of Tannins
Foam test	To few ml of extract ,add 20 ml distilled water and allowed to continuous shaken for 10 minute.	Foam is produced.	Presence of saponins
Million’s test	To few ml of extract, few drops of millions reagent is added.	White precipitate is produced.	Presence of protein
Test for phenol	To 2 ml of extract,3 ml of ethanol and a pinch of ferric chloride is added	Greenish yellow colour is produced.	Presence of phenol

10. Phytochemical screening of turmeric extract

Table No:7 Phytochemical screening of Turmeric extract

Test	Experiment	Observation	Inference
Mayer’s test	To 1 ml or 2 ml filtrate ,few drops of mayer’s reagent are added to the sides of test tube.	creamy or white precipitate is produced.	Presence of alkaloids
Test for glycosides	To 2 ml of test solution, added with equal quantity of fehling’s solution A and B and heat the solution.	Brick red precipitate is produced	Presence of glycosides
Test for tannins	The solution is mixed with drops of ferric chloride solution	Blue colour is observed	Presence of gallotannins