Desenvolvimento de formulações utilizando extrato de Sapindus saponaria Linnaeus

Abstract

Sapindus saponaria L., commonly called "árvore-sabão", is an angiosperm found throughout Brazil and has surfactant properties that make it an alternative to explore the richness of the Brazilian flora, contributing to the development of biodegradable and biocompatible products. It is rich in saponins, amphiphilic compounds capable of reducing surface tension, producing foam and detergency. These activities are of interest for the biotechnological, food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. The aim of this work was to develop, evaluate the surfactant characteristics, and verify the stability of intimate soap formulations containing Sapindus saponaria extract (ESP). Three formulations called F1 (without extract), F2, and F3 (containing ESP) were developed. All formulations were subjected to preliminary and accelerated stability tests, where color, odor, and visual appearance were observed to determine the organoleptic characteristics and, for the physicochemical parameters, pH, electrical conductivity, refractive index, and density were determined. Formulations that remained stable were reprepared and analyzed for their rheological parameters, foaming power and foam stability, surface tension, and emulsification index. The formulations presented: pH between 4.2 and 4.5, electrical conductivity between 13.6 and 16.6 mScm-1, refractive index of 1.3, density between 1.03 and 1.05 gmL-1 and organoleptic characteristics in accordance with that indicated for liquid soaps. The incorporation of ESP improved foam height, foam stability, and the emulsifying potential, and decreased surface tension. The rheological behavior presented a non-Newtonian profile of the pseudoplastic type. Therefore, the use of S. saponaria extract as a surfactant has shown to be promising for the development of liquid intimate soap formulations.