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330181

From Fat to Foam: The Fascinating World of Soap Chemistry and Technology

Article

Last updated: 01 Jan 2025

Subjects

-

Tags

Biochemistry

Abstract

In our daily lives, the ubiquitous use of soap extends far beyond mere cleanliness, encompassing diverse applications such as dishwashing, laundry, and personal hygiene, enriching our sensory experience and ensuring a safer, more hygienic living and working environment. Contrary to common perception, the genesis of soap cleansers transcends their role in hygiene, representing a multifaceted innovation with historical roots. Despite its crucial role, soap production stands as a relatively understudied facet of ancient chemical innovation, lacking the archaeological imprints found in materials like ceramics or glass. Unlike inorganic materials, soap leaves no tangible archaeological artifacts to chronicle its evolution. Consequently, our understanding of the chemical technology behind soap relies heavily on historical accounts. The Mesopotamian mud tablets, dating back to the third millennium BCE, provide the most precise evidence of early soap production, offering a glimpse into the chemical ingenuity of our ancestors. While the basic combination of plant ashes and tallow could have facilitated soap production even earlier, concrete proof remains elusive. This article presents a comprehensive review encompassing the historical trajectory, chemical intricacies, technological advancements, and varied applications of soap cleansers. By delving into the annals of history and synthesizing contemporary knowledge, we aim to illuminate the intriguing journey of soap, an everyday marvel often taken for granted.

DOI

10.21608/ejchem.2023.195358.7627

Keywords

Soap manufacturing, saponification processes, detergents and surfactants, soap types and uses, antiviral soap properties

Authors

First Name

Hamdy

Last Name

Zahran

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Fats and Oils Dept., Food Industries and Nutrition Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

Email

hazahran23@gmail.com

City

-

Orcid

0000-0003-2500-8378

Volume

67

Article Issue

6

Related Issue

47152

Issue Date

2024-06-01

Receive Date

2023-02-21

Publish Date

2024-06-01

Page Start

9

Page End

17

Print ISSN

0449-2285

Online ISSN

2357-0245

Link

https://ejchem.journals.ekb.eg/article_330181.html

Detail API

https://ejchem.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=330181

Order

330,181

Type

Review Articles

Type Code

444

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Egyptian Journal of Chemistry

Publication Link

https://ejchem.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

From Fat to Foam: The Fascinating World of Soap Chemistry and Technology

Details

Type

Article

Created At

30 Dec 2024