FORMULATION OF LIQUID HAND SOAP MADE FROM CITRONELLA ESSENTIAL OIL (Cymbopogon nardus L.)

Abstract

Hand washing with water and soap is one of the prevention efforts through sanitization measures by cleaning hands and fingers using water and soap. This study aims to formulate liquid hand washing soap with citronella essential oil as a natural antibacterial component. This research method is a laboratory experimental research design, namely by making a preparation of citronella essential oil hand wash liquid soap (Cymbopogon nardus L.) with a concentration variation of  5%, 10% and 15%. Natural liquid soap was made through saponification reaction between oil and potassium hydroxide. Soap characterization includes parameters: pH, organoleptic, homogeneity, viscosity, foam stability and antibacterial activity testing. The results showed that the yellow color with liquid form and the characteristic odor of fragrant citronella essential oil were stable. The pH value of the formulated liquid hand washing soap does not differ much ranging from pH 7 to 8. The results of the homogeneity test conducted, no changes occurred before and after testing. The viscosity of liquid soap shows that all liquid soap preparation formulas have increased viscosity values and are in the required range. The results of foam height have values that tend to change from the four formulas. However, this measurement is in accordance with the required value, which means that the foam remains stable. The antibacterial activity test shows that citronella essential oil liquid soap preparations can inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Therefore, it is proven that citronella essential oil is effective as an antibacterial component in liquid hand soap formulations.