Name and Surname: Carin Thomo

Student number : 218025225

Applied chemistry : practical 1

Making usable, quality opaque and transparent soap.

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Table of content

Heading Page number

Abstract 3

Introduction 3

Experimental procedures 3-4

Result and discussion 4-5

Conclusion 5

References 5

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Abstract
The manufacturing of quality of opaque and transparent soap was the main objective of this
experiment, it was conducted using fats and oils(triglycerides) through two procedures hot
and cold processes which are of capability in the making. This was done under the chemical
reaction called saponification, also using a variety of ingredients. With regards to the fact that
it is more essential in hygiene healthy standards, it was found that transparent soap is much
expensive from opaque soap and that both soaps were a success, therefore the aim of this
experiment was fulfilled.

Introduction
Soaps are surfactants, which simply suggest that they dissolve in water and oils, they are also
capable of cleaning. The sodium and potassium fatty acids salts are manufactured from
hydrolysis of fats in a chemical reaction called saponification. Since they are made from fats
and oil they are also mixed with alkaline/basic solutions. There are many fats and oils that
could be used both from animals and vegetables (Scharf and Malerich,2010). Fats are mostly
solid at room temperature which differ from oils because they are usually liquids in room
temperature. According to Wiley(American journal of oil chemist society) the production of
soap was first made in Babylon 1500 BC, they were used as cleaning agents and were very
useful in medicine. Soap making has remained unchanged over centuries, making soap then
was a long process, the fats were to be first melted and filtered then potash solution added
since water and oil do not mix, this would take a long time to mix while stirring before
saponification could take place.

Figure 1: indicate the formation of soap through saponification.

Experimental procedures
Cold process soap:
Deionised water and half sodium hydroxide were mixed in a 50ml beaker and stirred for base
solution. Remaining excess sodium hydroxide was added during the start of the solid to
dissolve. The fat and oils were stirred while heated until they reach the melting point in a
40ml beaker on a magnetic stirring plate. The base solution was then poured slowly through
the condenser into the round bottom flask with melted fats and oils. All the content was
transferred into the beaker and stirred until trace was formed and then poured in the weighing
boat.

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Table 1: shows the ingredients used in the making of cold processed soap.

ingredients mass(g)
Deionised water 7.5
sodium hydroxide 2.96
coconut oil 8
olive oil 4
palm oil 8

Transparent soap:
Alcohol, fats and oils were all mixed together in a 50ml round bottom flask equipped with a
condenser. The flask was then placed on a heating mantle to dissolve the fat and oils while
stirring. A solution of base was being prepared by stirring deionized water and half of sodium
hydroxide in a 50ml beaker on a magnetic stirring plate. remaining sodium hydroxide was
added following dissolution, while the base solution was carefully poured into the round
bottom flask through the connected condenser. The mixture was stirred and refluxed for an
hour using medium heating and maintaining level of solution with ethanol.
Table 2: shows the ingredients used for the transparent soap.

ingredients mass(g)
castor oil 3
coconut oil 4.5
olive oil 1.5
palm oil 6
deionized water 5
sodium hydroxide 2.27

Table 3: sugar solution

ingredients mass(g)
deionized water 2.41
sugar 2.78
absolute ethyl alcohol 6.04
glycerin 3.71

Result and discussion

Transparent soap is basically a hot process soap which uses solvents to dissolve the soap
crystals that form allowing light to pass so to create transparency. From one industry to
another there are so many different tests analysis conducted but, it can be product
deformulation where specific information about ingredients is provided, some industries have
residue analysis, some physically explore reasons for failures which is classified as failure

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analysis, we have regulatory compliance , litigation support and as well analytical and
technical services. The main function of a soap is to clean by acting as a surfactant and
emulsifier surrounding oil making it easier to rinse with water. With regards from both
opaque and transparent soap and their different processes, we can conclude by saying hot
process is a bit expensive when compared to cold process. Hot process is the one that
manufactures transparent soap, we call it expensive since it literally uses a lot of different
ingredients, which are basically 75% hard oil such as coconut oil, palm oil tallow, lard and
stearic acid. Here in South Africa we have a ton of industries producing both opaque and
transparent soap, but to mention one we have the soap factory which provides both soaps, for
the opaque 1kg of white opaque cost about R65-00 while the transparent a kg cost about R68-
00 to R70-00(The soap factory, 2020).
Table 4: indicates a variety of differences in both cold and hot processes.

Opaque soap Transparent soap

Transparency non-transparent Transparent soap
Bubble size small available but not so many
Quantity of lather poor Good
In hard water no lather and no bubbles difficult in lather forming
in soft water lather and small bubbles lather and bubbles formed

The above table illustrates different features found in these soaps; however, the transparency
of the soap is all about the substances and reagents used during the process of saponification.
During the making of transparent soap solvents such as alcohol, glycerine, and sugar solution
were all used to enhance the transparency.
Conclusion
The synthesis of usable, quality opaque and transparent soap was conducted in this
experiment, both soaps were carried as per instruction in the procedures section, they were
prepared and observed according to their qualities and traits, both the cold and hot process
were a success, but as a first timer it is so recommended to repeat the experiment to acquire
the desired result, also the experiment can be improved by increasing the concentration of
alcohol and glycerine so to maintain a good transparent soap.
References
1.Apch 221 practical manual, 2020
2.The soap factory, 2020
3.Walter Scharf and Charles Malerich, 2010.Natural sciences/chemistry, Baruch college,
New York, NY10010.