Soap nut is the fruit of a tree named Sapindus. The nut is also called a Soapberry, as its pulp is used to make soap. The component called Saponin which is a phyto-chemical gives soap nuts the foaming ability. The soap nut shells absorb water and releases Saponin which acts as a natural surfactant and facilitates cleaning in the wash water. The liquid concentrate made from soap nuts can be used to polish silk cloth and gold. It is used to make shampoo, detergent, daily soap, hand wash, insecticide and a pesticide .Its pulp could reduce cancer risk, diabetes and cure rashes. Soap nuts are biodegradable , organic ,non-toxic and there is no need to treat the waste water while discharging it to the environment .The soap nut berries are reusable up to six times.
“A NATURAL SUBSTITUTE FOR SYNTHETIC DETERGENT-ECO NUT SOAP” was the theme of my project for Kuwait Children Science Congress conducted by Science International Forum. The competition was held at Oxford Pakistan School, Abbassiya. I was on the junior team and my group comprised of five members. It was a project carried out for six months, through continuous observation and evaluation and with the guidance of our guides, we were able to finish it on time.At around 10:30 am, the judges visited our stall.They were a panel of four judges along with the President of SIF, Mr.Prasanth Nair. The team of judges were impressed with our presentation as we were able to answer most of the questions.They appreciated us for the arrangement and display of the project. We had presented four charts with a display of soap nuts and the cleansing action of it on dirty clothes. Majority of the visitors gave us a positive result and wished good luck. Soon after the judges left our stall, my group members, our parents, and our guides Sudhi Sir and Deepashri mam helped us know more about the theory which includes the components present in the structure of Saponin, word origin of Soap nut and the units of many measurements and many more.
At around 5:30 pm, was the viva session for my group. We were really prepared for the questions.The volunteers took us to a room where the judges were seated.I felt that the viva was a friendly talk between the judges and my group members about the development and concept of the project.Our viva went on for about twenty minutes and we were really happy as well as excited to know the results.I hoped for the best to happen .
The result were announced on 25th November and my group secured “A” grade .
I am awaiting for the announcement of the next KCSC.