STUDY ON BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS, CHARACTERIZATION AND PRODUCTION OF SOAPS FROM HERBAL SOURCE

Anugraha O. R., Pooja P. C., Keerthana S. and Dhanalakshmi G.

In this study, herbal extracts of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), Aegle marmelos (bael), Punica granatum (pomegranate), and Vitis vinifera (grape) are used to produce and assess herbal soaps. The antioxidant and antibacterial qualities of these plants—which are abundant in bioactive substances such flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, and terpenoids—led to their selection. All extracts contained necessary bioactive components, according to phytochemical study; licorice had the highest phenolic content (73.8 mg/g). The DPPH assay was  used to evaluate the antioxidant activity, demonstrating the extracts' robust ability to scavenge free radicals. These samples were worn to produce herbal soaps, which demonstrated superior foam stability, moisturizing qualities, and a pH that was suitable for skin. Significant effectiveness against Staphylococcus and Streptococcus bacteria was demonstrated by antimicrobial tests, especially with licorice and pomegranate aqueous extracts. Key functional groups such as alcohols, carboxylic acids, and aromatic compounds were detected in the soap samples by FTIR analysis. From this outcome it speculated that the herbal soaps showed admirable quality, antibacterial efficacy, and aesthetic advantages, making them a viable substitute for manufactured the product. Scaling up production in the large scale and further refining the soaps' qualities for commercial usage should be the main goals of future study.