Biosurfactant characterization and its potential to remove sebum from hair

•We characterized the detergent properties of mesocarp of Balanites aegyptiaca and evaluated its sebum removal potential.•pH of the solutions of dried mesocarp powder was acidic 4.0.•Surface tension of 10%, 20%, and 30% solution of dried mesocarp powder is similar to that of Triton X-100.•20% solution of mesocarp can remove 88% sebum from hair while 10% SDS can remove 99%.•Balanites aegyptiaca mesocarp proves to be a sustainable source of good quality acidic biosurfactant.

Mesocarp of Balanites aegyptiaca fruit contains high amount of saponin. Due to the presence of saponins, tribes have been utilizing it as a detergent from ages. But the detergent properties of this plant material have not been characterized so far. Therefore, in the present investigation detergent properties of this plant material have been studied and compared with sodium dodecyl sulfate, Tween-80 and Triton X-100. This is a very first report of density, surface tension, viscosity, pH, electric conductivity, foaming potential, foam stability, detergency, and dirt dispersal potential of dried mesocarp at various concentrations (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% (w/v)).Surface tension of 10%, 20%, and 30% mesocarp solution is similar to that of Triton X-100 (10% w/v). The detergency of this plant material is very high as even 20% solution of mesocarp is able to remove 88% sebum from hair tresses. The relative viscosity of this acidic biosurfactant is less than that of Triton X-100 (10%) and Tween-80 (10%). Foams are also less stable in comparison to chemical detergents.B. aegyptiaca is a recalcitrant genotype and can withstand salt as well as drought conditions and can serve as a good source of natural detergent and income for the local people, even if planted either on wasteland or along the boundary of farms.