Formulation and Physicochemical Evaluation of a Polyherbal Shampoo Containing Manilkara zapota Seed Oil for Natural Hair Care Applications

Abstract

Background: Herbal cosmetics have gained considerable attention owing to increasing consumer preference for safe, eco-friendly, and plant-based personal care products. Conventional shampoos formulated with synthetic surfactants may cause scalp irritation, dryness, and hair damage following prolonged use. Manilkara zapota (Sapodilla) seed oil, an underutilized by-product of the fruit industry, is a rich source of fixed oils and phytoconstituents with potential antioxidant, conditioning, and moisturizing properties. Incorporation of sapodilla seed oil with traditional medicinal plants may provide a natural alternative for the development of effective herbal hair care formulations.

Objective: The present study aimed to extract and characterize Manilkara zapota seed oil, formulate a polyherbal shampoo containing selected herbal ingredients, and evaluate the formulation using standard physicochemical quality control parameters.

Materials and Methods: Sapodilla seed oil was extracted by Soxhlet extraction and incorporated into a polyherbal shampoo containing Aloe vera, Hibiscus petals, Shikakai, fenugreek, rose petals, lemon juice, vinegar, gelatin, and essential oils. The prepared formulation was evaluated for organoleptic characteristics, pH, foamability, foam stability, percentage solid content, surface tension, wetting time, dirt dispersion, solubility, and preliminary skin irritation using standard cosmetic evaluation procedures. The formulation and evaluation methods were based on the experimental protocol described in the study.

Results: The formulated shampoo exhibited a homogeneous reddish-brown appearance with a pleasant aromatic odour and viscous consistency. The pH of the 10% shampoo solution was 6.0, while the percentage solid content ranged from 20–25%. The formulation produced a foam volume of 25 mL with dense and stable foam, reduced surface tension to 34.70 dynes/cm, and demonstrated a wetting time of 45 s. Furthermore, the shampoo showed good solubility, satisfactory dirt dispersion, and no observable skin irritation during preliminary evaluation, indicating acceptable physicochemical quality and compatibility for topical application.

Conclusion: The developed polyherbal shampoo demonstrated satisfactory physicochemical characteristics and preliminary safety, supporting the potential use of Manilkara zapota seed oil as a functional natural ingredient in herbal hair care products. The formulation combines effective cleansing with conditioning properties while utilizing an underexploited agricultural resource. Further investigations involving phytochemical standardization, microbiological quality assessment, accelerated stability studies, and controlled clinical evaluation are recommended to establish long-term safety, efficacy, and commercial applicability.