CHEMICAL AND ANTIMICROBIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SOAP PRODUCED FROM RUBBER SEED OIL (HEVEA BRASILIENSIS) IN COTE DIVOIRE

Agricultural diversification is a major challenge for the economic sustainability of Cote dIvoire, particularly through the valorization of by-products derived from industrial crops such as rubber (Hevea brasiliensis). Rubber seeds, long considered agricultural waste, are now recognized as an important source of vegetable oil suitable for soap production. This study aimed to produce soap from rubber seed oil and to evaluate its physicochemical and antimicrobial properties. The oil was extracted by mechanical pressing and characterized using standardized analytical methods. Soap was formulated by cold saponification and subjected to chemical analyses, contaminant screening, and antimicrobial tests against Staphylococcus aureus,Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.Results showed that rubber seed oil exhibited a high saponification value (197.43 mg KOH/g) and a low peroxide value (3 meq O/kg), indicating good suitability for soap making. The resulting soap displayed a high total fatty matter content (91.0%), satisfactory foaming capacity (586.30 mL), and low free alkali content (0.1%). No heavy metals or harmful skin-lightening agents were detected. The soap also demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity. These findings highlight the potential of rubber seed oil as a raw material for soap production and emphasize its importance for agro-industrial diversification and sustainable development.