ASSESSEMENT OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES ON LOCALLY MADE BLACK SOAP

ABSTRACT African Black soap is a medicinal product that could be harnessed for economic purpose if properly packaged, and misconception about its traditional use by herbalists is thrown overboard. African black soap is a traditional skincare product widely used across West Africa, renowned for its purported therapeutic benefits for various skin conditions. However, there is limited scientific documentation quantifying its bioactive components and validating its antimicrobial efficacy. This study aimed to assess the bioactive compounds and antimicrobial activities of a locally made black soap sample from Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The soap was extracted using solvents, and the extracts were subjected to qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis using standard spectrophotometric methods. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using the agar well diffusion method to determine the zone of inhibition (ZOI). Qualitative analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and phenols. Quantitative results showed substantial levels of total phenolics (48.7 ± 2.1 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (25.3 ± 1.8 mg QE/g), alkaloids (9.1 ± 0.6 mg AE/g), and tannins (14.2 ± 1.0 mg TAE/g). The soap extract exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against S. aureus with a ZOI of 28 mm at 100% concentration, but was ineffective against E. coli. The findings confirm that locally made black soap is a rich source of bioactive compounds with potent antioxidant and selective antimicrobial properties, providing scientific validation for its traditional use. It is recommended that production methods be standardized and further research be conducted to identify specific active compounds and their in-vivo effects. KEY WORDS: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, phytochemical analysis, antimicrobial activity and African Black soap