By-Products from the Chestnut Industry Used to Produce Natural Potassium Soaps: Physicochemical Properties

Mechanical properties of soaps are important during soap making and in the appraisal of the final product. In this context, the main objectives of this study were to develop novel potassium soaps prepared using chestnut husk ashes as an alternative source for potash production, to investigate their mechanical properties and to compare them with those obtained from traditional sources. A parallel objective was to determine the physicochemical properties of the studied ashes and potashes. Physicochemical results indicated that ash and potash have compositions which vary with the materials used, i.e. chestnut husk ashes as an interesting source for potash production. Rheological and textural properties indicate that natural soaps obtained from chestnut husk ashes can be interesting products for the soft soap market and provide additional economic value to wastes or by-products as a strategy to add value to the chestnut processing industry.