Extracción de aceites esenciales de los residuos de las cáscaras de naranja (Citrus sinensis L.), mandarina (Citrus reticulata) y limón (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) para su uso como aditivo en la elaboración de un jabón artesanal.

Abstract

The objective of this investigation project will be to extract essential oil using agro-industrial residues from orange, tangerine, and lemon peels selecting the best ones and at the same time this essential oil will be used as an additive in different quantities in a handmade soap, proposing a quantitative and qualitative investigation that will be held at “Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil”. The research will have two completely randomized experimental designs, each one will consist of 3 treatments and 3 repetitions respectively. Quantitative variables such as pH and ash percentage will be used in the characterization of the peels. The essential oils’ extraction will be done by stream dragging using water as a solvent at a temperature of 100 °C. Yield, density, refractive index and pH are the quantitative variables that will be used to determine the best essential oil. Once the essential oil with the best characteristics has been chosen, it will be applied as an additive using different amounts of milliliters in a handcrafted soap which will be characterized by quantitative variables such as the percentage of total fat, moisture content, volatile matter, and finally pH. The qualitative variables to be determined will be the smell and color of the final product in which a sensory evaluation test will be carried out on trained and untrained panelists; using the NTE INEN 841 norm to check if the final product meets the established requirements. Ultimately, the benefit-cost analysis of the process will also be carried out to determine the commercialization feasibility.