Tawa-Tawa (Euphorbia hirta Linn) – Infused Antibacterial Soap

Tawa-Tawa (Euphorbia hirta Linn) – Infused

Antibacterial Soap

INTRODUCTION

A.   Historical Background

The first soap making or “saponification” was dated around 2800 B.C. Early settlers of ancient Babylon were the first to create such substance. They made soap by mixing fat, oils and salts. Originally, this was not produced to be used for bathing or for personal hygiene that time. This was, instead, made mainly for cleaning cooking utensils and goods. Furthermore, throughout its history, soap was medically used for treatment of skin diseases.

Common soap bars were only invented in the 19th century. Scientist William S. Gump of the Givaudin-Delawanna chemical company synthesized the chemical compound hexachlorophene in the early 1940’s. The said chemical is a germicide with the ability to kill infectious microbes when added to soaps. The chemical decreased the amount of time necessary to clean hands and also remained on the hands after washing, continuing to destroy germs. Its use was soon widespread in surgical washes and in solutions used to wash babies in hospital nurseries.

Over the course of millennia’s, soap managed to infuse itself into the human culture and way of life. Right now, the product has undergone countless waves of improvements that enable it to mature into its modern state. It is added with various types of chemicals, from animals or from plants, to diversify its uses. In modern times, the use of soap has become universal in industrialized nations due to a better understanding of the role of hygiene in reducing the population size of pathogenic microorganisms that can cause diseases or in most serious cases, death. 

B.    Benefits in terms of:

a.    Human Health

Soap is among the products commonly used for maintaining proper body hygiene. Its variant utilized more specifically for cleaning and killing disease-causing bacteria is called antibacterial soap or simply disinfectant.

Antibacterial soaps can be produced using chemicals from plants. The goodness of herbal extracts has been well researched and clinically proven.  They are natural antiseptics, antimicrobial and known to prevent various skin diseases. The most important factor riding in their favour is that they do not have any side effects.

Tawa-tawa or scientifically known as Euphorbia hirta Linn is no exception to the facts given above. The plant possesses certain chemicals that are able to kill pathogenic microbes, thus it is a potential natural additive for preventing the occurrence of illness by exterminating microbes and its spreading likewise.

b.    Environmental Preservation

In an effort to kill off germs, soap manufacturers have included a host of potentially harmful chemicals that not only kill bacteria, but also pollute the environment, specifically water sources.

Herbal soaps, such as the tawa-tawa-infused antibacterial soaps, are friendly to the environment. Their chemical compounds decompose easily (biodegradable) and do not leave toxic afterwards.

c.    Economic Advantages (Local and Global)

The simplicity and availability of the needed materials, especially tawa-tawa, to create the product make it easy to produce. The multiple benefits of the herbal soap and its being cheap are the reasons for making it a market viable good both in local and global market.

Basically, customers’ buying pattern is very high and directed towards hygiene. People are now aware that in order to be healthy, one must invest in cleanliness. Thus, soap manufacturing is such a promising industry nowadays.

   

RELATED LITERATURE OF STUDIES

A.   Related Literature

Ever since the germ theory of disease became widely accepted, chemists have been developing agents to kill these germs. Many chemicals will easily kill microorganisms but may not be useful for many reasons. They may be too toxic, corrosive, unstable, or expensive to be used as a germ killer. There are hundreds that have been used for this purpose but there is not one universal chemical that can be used in all applications against all infectious agents.

Germicidal means a product or substance(s) that inhibits or kills germs on the external body parts. Some of its kinds are the antibacterial soap and antifungal soap. Antibacterial soap is any cleaning product to which active antimicrobial ingredients have been added. These chemicals kill bacteria and other microbes, but are no more effective at deactivating viruses than any other kind of soap or detergent, and they also kill non-pathogenic bacteria. Most liquid hand and body soaps contain antibacterial chemicals. Triclosan is a common ingredient. Since there is a great variety of bacteria, effectiveness against any given type of bacterium does not ensure that it is effective against unrelated types. These are generally only contained at preservative levels unless the product is marked antibacterial, antiseptic, or germicidal. Triclosan, Triclocarban/Trichlorocarbamide and PCMX/Chloroxylenol are commonly used for antibacterial and deodorant effect in consumer products. Some soaps contain tetrasodium EDTA which is a chelating agent that sequesters metals that the bacteria require in order to grow. Other microbes also require metals and so it is actually an anti-microbial agent that is widely used even as a preservative. On the other hand, antifungal soap is a type of soap that may help people get rid of various fungal infections. This type of soap is typically effective against athlete's foot and jock itch. It may also be useful for treating other non-fungal skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Many antifungal soaps are very safe to use because the majority contain natural substances. Mainly, these are Sulphur and zinc oxide.

Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Many infectious diseases have been known to be treated with herbal remedies throughout the history of mankind. There is a continuous and urgent need to discover new antibacteriall compounds with diverse chemical structures and novel mechanisms of action for new and re-emerging infectious diseases.

Medicinal plants are gifts of nature to cure limitless number of diseases of human beings. The abundance of plants on the earth's surface has led to an increasing interest in the investigation of different extracts obtained from traditional medicinal plants, as potential source of new antibacterial agents. Hence, researchers are increasingly turning their attention to folk medicine.

Among the most common herbal plants known to have lots of promising advantages is the Euphorbia hirta Linn or locally known as tawa-tawa. Such plant is hairy and grows up to 2 inches in height. It has numerous small flowers clustered together with opposite oblong leaves, which have a toothed margin. The young yellow fruit is a small hairy capsule with 3 reddish-brown wrinkled seeds. The plant flowers and fruits all year long.

This plant is used in traditional medicine for conjunctivitis, ulcerated cornea, bronchitic asthma, bronchitis, laryngeal spasm, upper respiratory catarrh and other respiratory ailments due to the presence of phytochemicals, giving it antibacterial properties.

There were studies and also evidences that tawa-tawa in the Philippines, had cured dengue. In a desperate call for medicine for dengue during the outbreak in the country, old folks thought of using the weed since it already had health benefits in the past for them and it worked. Until now people are using this weed in various diseases they encounter.

Phytochemicals or secondary metabolites are non-nutritive plant chemicals that have protective or disease preventive properties. They are nonessential nutrients, meaning that they are not required by the human body for sustaining life. It is well-known that plants produce these chemicals to protect themselves but recent research demonstrates that they can also protect humans against diseases. There are more than thousand known phytochemicals. Some of the well-known phytochemicals are lycopene in tomatoes, isoflavones in soy and flavanoids in fruits. There are many phytochemicals and each works differently. These are some possible actions:

Antioxidant. Most phytochemicals have antioxidant activity and protect our cells against oxidative damage and reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Phytochemicals with antioxidant activity: allyl sulfides (onions, leeks, garlic), carotenoids (fruits, carrots), flavonoids (fruits, vegetables), polyphenols (tea, grapes).

Hormonal action. Isoflavones, found in soy, imitate human estrogens and help to reduce menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis.

Stimulation of enzymes. Indoles, which are found in cabbages, stimulate enzymes that make the estrogen less effective and could reduce the risk for breast cancer. Other phytochemicals, which interfere with enzymes, are protease inhibitors (soy and beans), terpenes (citrus fruits and cherries).

Interference with DNA replication. Saponins found in beans interfere with the replication of cell DNA, thereby preventing the multiplication of cancer cells. Capsaicin, found in hot peppers, protects DNA from carcinogens.

Antibacterial effect. The phytochemical allicin from garlic has anti-bacterial properties.

Physical action. Some phytochemicals bind physically to cell walls thereby preventing the adhesion of pathogens to human cell walls. Proanthocyanidins are responsible for the anti-adhesion properties of cranberry. Consumption of cranberries will reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and will improve dental health.

B.    Related Studies

Plants have been used intensively for treating diseases and maintaining human health from the ancient times up to the modern era. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) medicinal plants would be the best source to create a variety of drugs. The development of microbial resistance to the existing antibiotics has led scientists to introduce the antibacterial activity of plants.

One of the many plants that possess inhibitory properties against bacteria is the Psidium guajava or locally known as bayabas. The scientist, in the person of Amit Pandey of MRD LifeSciences (P) Ltd. Lucknown India, used leaves, stems and fruits of the plant as sources of extract. The pathogens used in the study were the following:  one gram positive culture-Staphylococcus aureus and two gram was utilized to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of guava. The different plant parts yielded different levels of inhibition to the pathogens, where the stem showed the best result. Anyhow, all of those showed positive inhibition to the three strains of pathogenic bacteria. The scientist found out that the antibacterial potency of the Psidium guajava is due to its phytochemicals.  After screening of the leaves, stems and fruits it was observed that Psidium guajava contained reducing sugar, tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, terpenoids, alkaloids and poly phenols which are capable of killing of pathogens.

Another good example of a plant that has properties that can suppress and influence the growth of bacteria is the Mexican marigold or scientifically named as Tagetes erecta.  Two bacteria, a gram positive culture-B. subtilis and a gram negative cutlture-E. coli, were used in the study to determine the antibacterial activity of the crude extracts of this plant by agar diffusion method (cup plate method). The infusion of the plant was prepared using its leaves only. Through specific screening methods, the scientists were able to extract the following secondary metabolites: tannins, flavonoids, steroid glycosides, saponins, thiophenes and terpenes. All of the mentioned phytochemicals exhibited antibacterial activities by inhibiting the growth of the test pathogens at certain degrees.

STEPS AND PROCEDURE

A.   Objective

Create a natural, antibacterial soap using tawa-tawa (Euphorbia hirta Linn) extracts.

B.    Materials and Method

In making the soap, one will need the following:

tawa-tawa extract

30 g coconut oil

lye water/liquid zosa

2 pieces clean can

measuring spoon and cups

metallic fork and spoon

plastic cups

grinder

cloth filter

cardboard mold

stove/hot plate/water broiler

The steps in the soap making are as follows:

1.    Prepare the tawa-tawa extract:  Wash the plant. Let it dry. Grind into fine powder. Dissolve plant material in hot water (1:10); 1g sample should be dissolved in 10 mL of solvent. Set aside.

2.    Place 30 grams of coconut oil in a clean empty can.

3.    Add 15 ml of 20% NaOH into the oil. If using lye water, use as is. If using liquid zosa, dilute it with the same amount of water.

4.    Heat the mixture in a water bath for 15-20 minutes with frequent stirring.

5.    Add another 5 ml of NaOH or lye. Stir the mixture well.

6.    Add the tawa-tawa extract.

7.    Test for complete saponification by adding a few drops of the mixture in 5 ml of water in a plastic cup and shake. If no trace of oil is observed and bubbles were formed, saponification is complete. Otherwise, remove the beaker from the hot water bath, add 5 ml each of 20% NaOH or lye and heat in a boiling water bath for another 15-20 minutes.

8.    If saponification is complete, stir the mixture until solution is homogeneous.

9.    Take the other clean empty can and fill it up half-way with water (125 ml) and then add 5 teaspoons more (25 ml).

10. Filter the precipitated soap through the cloth filter.

11. Place the pressed soap in a beaker. Add 10-20 ml of water to completely dissolve the soap. Evaporate to a jelly consistency.

12. Cool partially and pour in a cardboard mold and let stand.

Results

In the current investigation by Geeta Singh and Padma Kumar, E. hirta shows antimicrobial potential against test pathogens, which are being involved in a number of human diseases. Disc diffusion assay has been performed for antimicrobial screening. Accordingly, four bacterial strains have been used for this study: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Staphylococcus aureus.

The extracts of E. hirta Linn are able to inhibit the growth of the test pathogens at varying degree, depending on the type of extract’s solvent and the part of plant being used. The plant contains free and bound flavonoids that particularly contribute to its inhibitory abilities against bacterial pathogens. Two flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol are identified in the bound flavonoids of stem extract which showed activity against all the microorganisms.

A group of Biochemists and Physiologists from S.T.E.T. Women’s College (Bharathidasan University) and University of Ha’il, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia made a study by screening the phytochemical constituents of E. hirta Linn. The scientists tested the extract out of its leaves and the given solvents: ethanol, hexane, methanol and aqueous. Through different methods of extraction, they are able to obtain the secondary metabolites alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroid glycosides, phenols, phytols and carbohydrates. Alkaloids are the major compound present in the leaves. Such chemicals are important defense of the plant against pathogenic organisms and herbivores. These are also a toxin for insects which further modify the alkaloids and incorporate them into their own defense secretion. Flavonoids, tannins, phenols, alkaloids and steroid glycosides show significant inhibitory potency against test pathogens. Furthermore, phytols, a liquid alcohol used to synthesize the vitamin E and vitamin K and active ingredient in soap and cosmetic products, also show antiseptic activities.

Recommendations

In the light of the foregoing findings and conclusions, the following recommendations are offered:

1.    Use other solvents in creating the tawa-tawa infusion, such as methanol and ethanol, for variety phytochemicals to be extracted in the plant. One extract cannot react to the plant to bring out all of its secondary metabolites. Hence, different extracts can produce different levels of antibacterial properties of E. hirta Linn due to the presence of various phytochemicals.

2.    Improve the quality of tawa-tawa infused soap by adding other herbal plants that are already tested and proven to have antimicrobial components also; like ginger, onion and guava.

3.    Add oil-based fragrance to the soap to add scent. This can help increase the competitiveness of the product.

4.    Use only less caustic substances in making your soap to avoid any skin burning or irritation.

REFERENCES

A review on antifungal and antimicrobial activity of tagetes erecta. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.pharmatutor.org/articles/review-article-antifungal-antimicrobial-activity-tagetes-erecta?page=0,1

Benefits of herbal soaps (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.articlesbase.com/acne-articles/benefits-of-herbal-soaps-3076752.html

Health benefits of asthma weed (tawa-tawa) (n.d.). Retrieved from http://herbfit.blogspot.com/2011/11/health-benefits-of-asthma-weed-tawa.html

How to make soap out of guava leaf extract for a science investigatory project (2014). Retrieved from http://science.wonderhowto.com/how-to/make-soap-out-guava-leaf-extract-for-science-investigatory-project-424946/

Market analysis summary (2014). Retrieved from http://www.bplans.com/soap_manufacturer_business_plan/market_analysis_summary_fc.php

Martha Gardner (n.d.). A talk by martha gardner. http://www.chemheritage.org/visit/events/brown-bag-lectures/spring-2011/2011-03-08-bbl-gardner.aspx

Phytochemicals (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.phytochemicals.info/

Phytochemical study and screening for antimicrobial activity of flavonoids of Euphorbia hirta (2009). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3783663/

Screening of phytochemical and in vitro activity of euphorbia hirta l (2011). Retrieved from www.jocpr.com

The history of soap - soap inventors and origins (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.soaphistory.net/soap-history/