Production and Characterization of Liquid Detergent Using Potassium Hydroxide Sourced From an Agricultural Product in Nigeria.

Abstract

This paper deals with the production and characterization of liquid detergents using potassium hydroxide sourced from an agricultural product (ash from banana leaves). Three samples A, B and C of the detergent were produced . Sample A contains all the ingredient but no sodium silicate in the composition. Similarly sample B has all the ingredients but no magnesium sulphate while sample C contains all the ingredients including sodium, silicate and magnesium sulphate. The characterization of the detergents was based on their detergency foaming ability, pH, viscosity, hardness in well water and free oxide. The analysis of the results show s that sample A, B and C have their detergencies as 14.5, 13.82 and 13.95% respectively. Sample A appears to have the highest quality while sample B and B gives close values of detergency.