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C.IX. Neem oil

It is extracted from neem seeds (Azadirachta indica), a very rustic and drought resistant tree. Neem is widespread in semi arid zones is used in many sahelians countries in reforestation programs The oil has a yellow-green color, a less pleasant scent and a bitter taste. It has medical and insect repellent qualities.

Physical and chemical characteristics:

Soda soap is very hard, of dirty yellow color and of unpleasant odor. It produces quickly a great quantity of a stable foam, develops a good washing power and a smooth and antiseptic effect on the skin (sometimes used as medical soap).

Preparation of soap
Pre-treatment

Treatment with salted boiling water is the most simple method of purification of neem oil.

However due to its strong coloration and unpleasant odor the oil should be deeply refined before being saponified. The methods used to achieve this, such as: extraction with alcohol, treatment with alcohol alkaline solution, bleaching in chloride water are however somewhat complex in their implementation.

An easier alternative for production of good laundry soaps consists in practicing the graining out of formed soap. The coloring and scenting substances are then diluted in the water stage and are thus eliminated from the final product.

Saponification

The hot process followed by the releasing is well indicated for production of improved soap from simply purified neem oil.

Recipe:

100 Kg of purified neem oil;
50 Kg of caustic soda solution at 30 °Be;
10 Kg of salt.

Figure

How to conduct the operations

- Weigh the quantity of purified oil and heat it in the boiler up to 60 - 70 °C;
- Add slowly and in small portion the quantity of alkaline solution by stirring (continues heating without interruption);
- After adding all the alkaline, you heat the mass up to ebullition and keep this status up for a few hours (4 hours);
- Then grain out by mixing in the 10 Kg of salt precedently humidified (the initial mass builts then two (2) phases: the inferior liquid phase composed of water and glycerine containing the main scent and color substances);
- Eliminate water and melt again the soap;
- Then add the secondary substances by stirring and pour the hot masses into moulds;
- When it gets cold and hard, take out of the moulds and cut into bars or pieces.