Buffalo Milk: Alternative Use for Soap Preparation Enriched with Vegetables

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Cosmetic Science
• Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

• Buffalo milk surplus necessitates alternative utilization strategies.
• Cosmetic applications of milk are popular due to its emollient properties.
• Artisanal soap production offers a potential avenue for milk valorization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate buffalo milk as a raw material for artisanal solid soap production.
• To investigate the incorporation of natural bioactive compounds from Lavender, Thyme, and Grape pomace.
• To assess the chemical and sensory characteristics of the developed soaps.

Main Methods:

• Buffalo milk was used as the primary ingredient in solid soap formulations.
• Vegetable materials (Lavender, Thyme, Grape pomace) were used in fresh, dried, and freeze-dried forms.
• Chemical analysis of raw materials and finished soaps, including moisture content, total polyphenol content, and antioxidant activity.
• Sensory evaluation of the artisanal soaps by consumers.

Main Results:

• All formulated artisanal soaps exhibited favorable chemical properties, notably low moisture content.
• Soaps incorporating Lavender and Grape pomace received the highest scores in sensory evaluations.
• The addition of plant materials significantly increased the bioactive molecule content, including total polyphenols and antioxidant activity.

Conclusions:

• Buffalo milk can be effectively utilized in the production of artisanal solid soaps.
• Incorporating natural additives like Lavender and Grape pomace enhances soap quality and consumer acceptance.
• This approach offers an innovative method for producing natural soaps with added bioactive benefits, aligning with market trends.