How concentration, temperature, and pH affect soapberry’s cleaning power compared to commercially available detergents

Abstract

The widespread use of synthetic cleaning products significantly contributes to environmental pollution, creating the need for natural alternatives. In this study, the capillary tube method was used to investigate the effect of concentration, temperature and pH on the effectiveness of soapberry as a plant-based detergent and compare its effectiveness to commercially available detergent and bio-detergent. Effectiveness was measured as a decrease in surface tension, which in turn affects the formation of micelles that enclose lipids and dissolve grease and oils. The results of this study showed that greater effectiveness was achieved at higher concentration (5%), temperature (60°C) and pH (12) of soapberry surfactant and found soapberry to be more effective than water (control), similarly as effective as commercial bio-detergent, and less effective than commercial detergent. These findings support the use of soapberry in both domestic and industrial settings as an alternative to commercial cleaning products, reducing the chemical and plastic pollution associated with conventional detergents.