Extraction of Balanites aegyptiaca Seed Oil and Its Application in Soap Production from the Wood Ash

Balanites Aegyptiaca also called desert date is a common plant, indigenous that grows in all dry lands including arid and semi-arids. The plant has been identified to have several uses such as in food and medicinal function. The plant is also known to be a source of oil. This oil can be used as a food or as a raw material in processing products such as soap. The research on the application this plant’s oil in soap production from the wood material is underscored. Therefore, this study was aimed at extracting oil from the seeds of desert date and applying it in soap production from the wood ashes. The research was conducted in the laboratory. The moisture content of the seed before extracting oil was determined and was found to be 4.57%. The Balanites aegyptiaca was found to contain 41.25% of the seed oil. The soap was then made from the wood ash filtrate and the oil of the Balanites aegyptiaca seeds. This soap was tested by washing a dirty piece of cloth with it. It removed the dirt just like the soap made from sodium hydroxide solution. The research findings recommend that the rural communities should be trained and supplied with the possible technological equipment for processing Balanites aegyptiaca seed oil in order to improve their standard of living. It was also recommended that the trees such as acacia and Balanites aegyptiaca should be prevented from random cutting down.