ACTIVATED CHARCOAL AND Tagetes erecta (AFRICAN MARIGOLD) EXTRACT AS ACTIVE INGREDIENTS IN ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP (CHARGOLD SOAP)

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL AND Tagetes erecta (AFRICAN MARIGOLD) EXTRACT AS ACTIVE INGREDIENTS IN ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP (CHARGOLD SOAP)

INTRODUCTION

1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

      Life on earth is everywhere. You can find living organisms under the sea, thousands deep feet, below the earth’s surface, in the air or in land. About 4 billion years ago, the ancestors of modern bacteria are microscopic unicellular microorganisms that were considered as the first life forms existed here on earth.

      According to the biological taxonomy, bacteria are classified in Domain Bacteria. They are prokaryotic microorganisms. Bacteria inhabit in soil, water even in acidic, salty and hot environment. They live in symbiotic and parasitic relationship with plants and animals. These organisms also flourished in the body of human and have caused many diseases. Researchers all over the world diverted their interest toward the behavior of bacteria and developed medicine to cure disease causing bacteria.

      One way to get rid of bacteria is through antibacterial soap. This soap is used as cleaning product in which active antibacterial ingredients have been added. The chemicals are effective in killing bacteria. The discovery of soap predates history going back perhaps as fast as six thousand years. Later records from ancient Egypt described how animal and vegetable oils were combined with alkaline salts to make soap. The recipe for making soap was relatively unchanged for centuries. The American colonists collected and cooked animal tallow (rendered fat) and then mixed with an alkali potash solution obtained from accumulated hardwood ashes of their winter fire. During mid-nineteenth century, the process of soap making became commercialized and widely available at the market.

      Soap comes in many varieties and forms. One thing have in common is their chemical origin. They were all made by fat or oil and strongly basic solution. In connection to this, an experiment will be conducted which aims to create an antibacterial soap using activated charcoal and Tagetes erecta extract.

      Activated charcoal is a fine black odorless and tasteless powder made from wood or materials that have been exposed to very high temperature. Activated charcoal is pure carbon specially processed to make it highly adsorbent of particles and gases in the body’s digestive system. It has been used since ancient times to cure a variety of ailments including poisoning. Its healing effects have been well documented as early as 1550 B.C by the Egyptians. Charcoal was almost forgotten until 15 years ago when it was rediscovered as wonderful oral agent to treat overdoses and toxins.

      Tagetes erecta the Mexican marigold or also called as African marigold, is the plant classified as Kingdom Plantae; Phylum Angiosperms; Class: Eudicots; Order Asterales, Tribe: Tagateae; Subfamily: Asteroideae. The Tagetes erecta contains 56 species of herbaceous plant in sunflower family. This plant reaches height between 50-100 cm and gathered the wild plant as well as cultivating it for medicinal, ceremonials and decorative with many cultivars use as ornamental plants.

African Marigold (Tagetes erecta)

2. BENEFITS IN TERMS OF:

1. HUMAN HEALTH

      The Chargold soap using the activated charcoal and Tagetes erecta extract is used as natural antibacterial soap and cleanser. It can help draw impurities, toxins, and bacteria out of the skin. It will help in relieving other skin problems. Both activated charcoal and Tagetes erecta extract have antibacterial property that can help heal wounds. The Chargold antibacterial soap will not harm the skin, instead it makes a good addition to your cleansing routine.

      Many soaps contain a large quantity of synthetic ingredients that could have unhealthy side effects like birth defects, central nervous system disorders, allergic reactions and skin cancer. When making a handmade soap, natural fragrance and ingredients are used so nothing to worry. For those who are allergic to the harsh chemicals in soap, or for those who just have sensitive skin, homemade soap is a lot milder. So Chargold soap can be a better antibacterial soap because it is made by naturally moisturizing ingredients.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION

      Industrial soaps have variety of chemicals that are potentially harmful to the environment. Some synthetic ingredients used in making soap have been proven to cause defects and liver damage in animals. What will happen to the environment if every year millions of soap residues are flushed and taking it into consideration that they add threat to the already stressed aquatic environment? To solve this problem, a handmade soap is better than industrial/synthetic soap because it is eco-friendly soap.

      What makes Chargold environmental friendly is that it does not contain MIT (methylisothiazolinone) and Triclosan in which other antibacterial soap have. These chemicals have found to be allergenic, cytotoxic and linked to nerve cell death. According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Triclosan is registered as pesticide and believed to destroy fragile aquatic ecosystem. Now the newly formulated Chargold antibacterial soap, a product that will not contaminate water and will not poison the people. It is eco-friendly soap and can benefit every ecosystem.

3. ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE

      The economic development of one’s country is related on its human development which encompasses among other things, health and education. Through Chargold antibacterial soap, it facilitates to start up a small business which deeply concerns the health of the consumers as an effective cleansing agent. Aside from being eco-friendly soap, Chargold antibacterial soap is cheaper compared to other leading brands that shows the same health benefits. If the people are healthy then they will become an effective citizen that can compete globally. If the citizens are healthy it would mean to have a strong community.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

      Soaps have been used in various forms as cleaning agents since the beginning of time. It improves cleanliness and encourages good health. Good hand washing practice does not give one hundred percent guarantee that the skin is protected from the spreading of communicable diseases. Quick wetting of hands after using the bathroom or before eating is good if soap is used. The lather of soap breaks up the oily dirt and other unwanted stuff or microorganism and allows them to be rinsed away.

      One method of keeping us healthy is through our skin. It is our largest defense (by surface area). In fact skin may be covered with millions of bacteria. So frequent hand washing or taking a bath using water with antibacterial soap is the best practice to prevent from transmission of bacteria that can cause sickness.

      Activated charcoal is similar to common charcoal but it is made especially for medicine. To make activated charcoal, manufacturer heat common charcoal in the presence of gas that causes the charcoal to develop lots of internal spaces or pores. These pores help activated charcoal trap chemicals. Activated charcoal is used to treat poisoning and reduce intestinal gas. Through its adsorptive property, activated charcoal can attract bacteria on its surface and can help heal wounds. Externally, it can be used as skin purifier, used to treat insect bites and rashes. It can also whiten teeth and removes plaque.

      Since prehispanic times, the Tagetes erecta (African Marigold) plant has been used for medicinal purposes. It is used as a skin wash and for yellow dye. Scientific study shows that marigold may help protect certain crop plants from nematode pests when planted in fields. It is most effective against the nematode species Pratylenchus penetrans and the plant leaf aqueous extract has antibacterial property.

REVIEW OF RELATED STUDIES

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL

      The use of charcoal as an adsorbent has a very long history in study. Egyptian papyri from around 1500 BC describe the use of charcoal to adsorb malodorous vapors from putrefying wounds. The first scientific study of the adsorptive properties of charcoal was made by the Swedish scientist Carl Wilhelm Scheele in the late 18^th century. Scheele was a brilliant chemist who identified the elements chlorine and barium and prepared oxygen two years before Priestley. He described how the vapors adsorbed by charcoal could be expelled by heating, and taken up again during cooling : "I filled a retort half-full with very dry pounded charcoal and tied it to a bladder, emptied of air. As soon as the retort became red-hot at the bottom, the bladder would no longer expand. I left the retort to cool and the air returned from the bladder into the coals. I heated the retort, and the air was again expelled; and when it was cool the air was again adsorbed by the coals. This air filled 8 times the space occupied by the coals(Peter J F Harris).

      According to the Market Study on Activated Carbon Carried Out by CP Consultants, New Delhi, there are two main parameters relevant to the performance of the activated charcoal are namely, surface area and pore volume or structure. As to the shape of activated charcoal, there is a difference between powder, granular and pelletized qualities. In field application, activated charcoal represents a number of different functionalities. The powdered activated charcoal has high adsorptive property and the most well known mechanism through physical adsorption or chemisorptions. In sector-wise application of activated charcoal, it is used in water treatment, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals and food products.

      Activated charcoal appears in skin care products due to its ability to ease inflammation and other problems that arise from sensitive skin. Create a batch of cold-process soap using activated charcoal and specially selected oils. Olive oil is nourishing for the skin. Coconut oil offers great cleansing and lather, Grace Williams said.

AFRICAN MARIGOLD/MEXICAN MARIGOLD (Tagetes erecta)

      According to the study conducted by Er. Shivendu Ranjan, showed the antibacterial activity of leaf extract of Mexican Marigold or African marigold ( Tagetes erecta) against different gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains. A total of 10 gram positive and 3 gram negative bacteria were used in the study. The isolates of Enterococcus faecalis,Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus epidermis, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Erysipelotrix rhusiopathiae, Propionibacterium acne, Streptococcus pneumonia, Streptococcus agalactine, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas auregenosa, Salmonella enteriditis, Acinetobacter baumannii and Alcaligen faecalis were obtained from the culture collection center of Institute of Microial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh, India.

      The activity of African marigold for different gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains were calculated after antibacterial testing using agar well diffusion method and antibacterial sensitivity testing with Gentamicin. The maximum antibacterial effect of African marigold leaf extract among those microorganisms was obtained for Acinetobacter baumannii (Activity index= 0.913333333), Propionibacterium acne (Activity index= 0.9066666667) and minimum was for Streptococcus pneumonia (Activity index= 0.0266666667). The reason for minimum activity index on Streptococcus pneumonia is its capsulated structure.

    The essential oil of Tagetes erecta is extracted from its leaves, stalk and flowers. The main components of this extract are limone, ocimene, lagetone and valeric acid. These substances can be attributed to its properties like antibiotic, antimicrobial, anti parasitic, antiseptic and antispasmodic. The substances can also be used to ease wound burns, skin diseases, athlete’s foot and dermatitis. The Tagetes erecta is rich in carotenoid luetin that can also reduce the risk of skin cancer and sunburn. Under the influence of sunlight, free radicals are formed inside the skin. These free radicals can damage the DNA of cells. Lutein can protect against the damaging effects of UV. From scientific studies it was observed that thiophenes a natural phytochemicals containing sulfur ring may be the active ingredients in Tagetes erecta that have been used against gram negative and gram positive bacteria.

      The result suggested that species of marigold Tagetes erecta has antibacterial effect against airborne disease causing gram positive and gram negative bacteria and mainly against skin infection causing bacteria. The plant can be useful in developing drugs for diseases like dermatitis, acne, skin races and can also be developed as antiseptic.

STEPS AND PROCEDURES

OBJECTIVE 1

• This experiment is conducted to create an antibacterial soap using Activated Charcoal and Tagetes erecta extract as active antibacterial ingredients.

MATERIALS

• 100g Caustic soda flakes
• 1 cup olive oil
• 1 cup coconut oil
• 2 cups distilled water
• 60 ml Tagetes erecta extract
• 4 tablespoon activated charcoal
• 2 tablespoon oil based scent( optional)
• Wooden ladle
• Plastic container with cover
• Measuring cups
• Stainless pan/plastic bowl
• Soap molder

PROCEDURE

I-SAPONIFICATION

1. MAKING LYE SOLUTION

NOTE: Lye can cause serious burns so be careful. Wear safety goggles and gloves.

1. Pour water in the plastic container and slowly add and dissolve caustic soda flakes. Always add caustic soda flakes to the water.
2. After dissolving, cover the plastic container and set it in a safe place to cool. The lye solution will be ready to use when it cools down.

2. SOAP MAKING

1. Mix olive oil and coconut oil in a plastic bowl. Use wooden ladle to mix the oil.
2. Slowly pour lye solution into the oil mixture while stirring rapidly. Note: Always add the lye solution to the oil mixture.
3. Continue stirring the mixture. Add the Tagetes erecta extract and oil based scent to the mixture. (Scent is optional)
4. Stir the soap mixture until it “traces”. This is the term used to describe the consistency or thickness and stage where the soap mixture is ready to pour in the molder, tracing is easily recognized using the wooden ladle. Drizzle a small amount across the top of the soap mixture. If a mark or trail remains for few seconds before disappearing again, your soap has traced.
5. After the soap traces, add activated charcoal and mix.
6. Pour the soap mixture into the molder. Cover the molder with a blanket or towel and place in the warm location.

Adding Tagetes  erecta (African marigold) extract 

Molding tip: Grease your molder with oil or vegetable shortening for ease of release.

Note: Let set undisturbed for 24 to 48 hours for the soap to harden.

OBJECTIVE 2

• After curing, test the pH of Chargold soap using phenolphthalein to make sure that Chargold soap is safe to use.

II- TEST FOR pH

      Testing the pH of soap is an easy way to be sure that the soap is safe to use.

Using the phenolphthalein: If it's clear or light pink, the soap is safe to use. The darkest shades indicate that the soap is dangerously heavy in lye, and should not be used.

PROCEDURE:

      Cut a bar of soap, and place a drop or two of phenolphthalein on the cut edge .Wait for the color of the drops to stabilize, and see what you have. 

Testing the pH of  Chargold antibacterial soap using  phenolpthalein
 and blue litmus paper

OBJECTIVE 3

• Test the ability of Chargold soap to produce lather with water.

III-TEST FOR LATHER

PROCEDURE

     Get a bar of soap. Rub it with water (creating friction) or rub a bar of soap against a wet washcloth or sponge.

Chargold antibacterial soap producing lather

RESULT

      After a thorough research on the properties of activated charcoal and Tagetes erecta (African marigold) extract, the researcher came up with a gray colored soap. The cold process method was used since it is a home-based soap. The neutralization process took place during the molding stage. The Chargold soap is safe to use after testing its pH by phenolphthalein. After dropping 2 drops of phenolphthalein, the clear liquid turned to light pink. Since Chargold soap contains coconut oil it lathers well. Considering the properties of activated charcoal and Tagetes erecta extract which supported by different studies, therefore revealed they can be an active antibacterial ingredients. The importance of their medicinal uses should not be disregarded.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The following are recommended for future study/action:

1. Conduct further study in identifying the zone of inhibition of Chargold soap using an Agar well diffusion method on specific bad bacteria that can cause skin disease.
2. Try to formulate the Chargold soap with oil based scent.
3. Since the amount is directly related to the oil used, try to add a bit of sugar to the soap to increase the lather if coconut oil is not used.

REFERENCES

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol. 5 Issue 8. August 2012, Research Article ISSN 0974-6943

www.personal.rdg.ac.uk

www.moneycrashers.com/activated-charcoal-uses-health-benefits

www.livestrong.com

www.cranberrylane.com/soapmaking/html

www.chemistryexplained.com

http://www.bambootech.org/files/Market%20Study%20.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagetes_erecta

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Tagetes_erecta

http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/tipstricks/qt/qtsugar.htm

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