FORMULATION AND ACCEPTABILITY OF SHINY BUSH-BETEL LEAF HAND SOAP STRIP

Abstract: The shiny bush-betel leaf hand soap strip is an innovative plant-based hygiene product designed to provide a portable, convenient, and effective alternative to traditional hand soaps. This study addressed the increasing demand for natural and travel-friendly hygiene products by evaluating the acceptability and effectiveness of shiny bush-betel leaf extract hand soap strips in terms of sensory qualities and functional performance. An experimental-development research design using a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) was employed with three treatments (3) that differed in the proportion of the main ingredients: Treatment A (25 ml shiny bush and 75 ml betel leaf), Treatment B (50 ml shiny bush and 50 ml betel leaf), and Treatment C (75 ml shiny bush and 25 ml betel leaf). The glycerin soap base, foam booster, glycerin, and scent were kept constant across all treatments. A total of 25 evaluators, including cosmetology teachers, beauticians, students, and consumers, assessed the products using a 5-point Likert scale based on appearance, foaming ability, scent, texture and functional performance in terms of moisturizing and smoothing effect.

Findings revealed that Treatment C was consistently rated superior across all sensory and functional attributes. In terms of appearance, it was described as very attractive; its foaming ability was very foamy; its scent was very pleasant and its texture was very fine, providing a gentle effect. Treatment C obtained the highest mean scores, being rated as very hydrating in terms of moisturizing effect and ‘smooth’ in smoothing effect. Treatments A and B were likewise rated as smooth in smoothing effect, while their moisturizing performance ranged from moderately hydrating to hydrating. Moreover, general acceptability was rated as effective across all treatments. Statistical analyses confirmed significant differences among the treatments in sensory qualities using the Kruskal–Wallis test and in smoothing and moisturizing effects through one-way ANOVA. Post hoc evaluation indicated that the higher shiny bush content in Treatment C contributed to improved texture, superior hydration, and overall user satisfaction, while the smoothing effect and general acceptability, although descriptively higher Treatment C did not show statistically significant differences. The study concluded that the shiny bush-dominant formulation was the most effective and acceptable treatment, highlighting the importance of proper ingredient proportioning in developing plant-based hand care products.

Keywords: Shiny Bush, Betel Leaf, Hand Soap, Strips, Plant-Based Hand Soap Strip