Author(s)

Guy Crépin Enoua^1,2*, Aristide H. W. Nakavoua³, Victor N’goka¹, Tony Wheellyam Pouambeka¹, Prince Maho Diafouana Mahoungou¹, Narcisse Nicaise Obaya¹, Alain Brice Mbozo Vouidibio⁴, Hubert Makomo¹, Robin Pascal Ongoka²

¹Analytical Chemistry and Bioactive Substances Team, Faculty of Science and Technology, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
²Department of Natural Sciences, Normal High School, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
³Laboratory of Natural Substances Chemistry (IRSEN), Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
⁴Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory (BCM), Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

The present study was conducted with the aim of extracting and characterising Cucurbita pepo seed oil and then producing soap with important dermatological properties. The physico-chemical results of the Cucurbita pepo seed oil after extraction were satisfactory and indicate that the oil obtained contains long-carbonaceous fatty acids. The production of the soap was based on the realisation of a saponification reaction by reflux heating between the extracted oil and a solution of soduim hydroxyde 7M for one hour. The soap obtained is characterised by the following physico-chemical parameters: salt content, alkali content, pH, and humidity; which meet ISO 684-1974 standards. The antibacterial parameters of the soaps S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 and S6 were determined by the Agar Diffusion test using the well method and these soaps showed an interesting antibacterial activity against the germs pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococcus aureus. Soaps based on Raffia sese oil (kolo oil) and Elaesis guineensis oil (palm oil) have also been synthesized for comparison with soap obtained from Cucurbita pepo seed oil.

Valorization, Cucurbita pepo Seeds, Cucurbita pepo Oil, Soap, Antibacterial Activity

Enoua, G. , Nakavoua, A. , N’goka, V. , Pouambeka, T. , Mahoungou, P. , Obaya, N. , Vouidibio, A. , Makomo, H. and Ongoka, R. (2022) Valorization of Cucurbita pepo Seed Oil in Soap Production. Green and Sustainable Chemistry, 12, 104-117. doi: 10.4236/gsc.2022.124009.