Thickening capacity of Cordia lutea Lam mucilage gum in a liquid soap formulation

The study refers to the use of Cordia lutea Lam gum as a natural thickener in a liquid soap formulation. The aim was to determine the phytochemical components and the thickening capacity of mucilage gum in a liquid soap formula. The color of the fruit and the mucilage gum were determined by CIELab methodology, the phytochemical screening of the mucilage gum extracted by manual pressure, by rapid chemical reactions. The hydrocarbons were determined by gas chromatography and the viscosity using a rotational viscometer. Liquid soap was made according to a commercial formula using a DCA  design along with the factors amount of mucilage and Texapon at two levels (low and high) and viscosity and foam formation that were used as response variables. The thickening effect of the mucilage gum in the soap was evidenced through the viscosity (mPa.s) and foaming capacity by the test tube method; those variables were tabulated using the statistical software statgraphics plus. Phytochemical results showed the presence of saponins, quinones, carotenoids and coumarins; and hydrocarbon compounds: tetratriacontane (34,28%), n-hexadecanoic acid (28,74%) and 9-12-15-Octadecatrienoic acid (18,19%). The viscosity of the mucilage gum was greater than 14000 mPa.s and that of the liquid soap that ranged from 1931 to 2822 mPa.s. The pH was 6,5 to 6,8 and the foaming was comparatively higher than commercial products. The mucilage gum obtained constitutes a natural thickener with an important projection of immediate application in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.