Development of Antibacterial Transparent Solid and Liquid Soaps Formulations Utilizing Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. (Agarwood) Leaf Ethanol Extract

Agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis Lam.), one of the Indonesia key commodity, is increasingly valued for its leaves in cosmetics. These leaves has been incorporated into a variety of products, including soaps, perfumes, aromatherapy items, and lotions. The leaf extract of A. malaccensis is known for its richness in secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, steroids, and saponins, which exhibit antibacterial properties. This study begin with extraction of A. malaccensis leaf with maceration in 96% ethanolic solvent. This research investigated the antibacterial activity of A. malaccensis leaf ethanolic extract with disc diffusion assay method to get the optimum minimum inhibition concentrations. Transparent solid soaps were formulated with leaf extract concentrations of 0.2%, 0.5%, and 1%, while liquid soap formulations utilized 1%, 2%, and 3% extract concentrations. Solid soap formulations included stearic acid, pure coconut oil, olive oil, and NaOH, while liquid soap formulations incorporated glycerin, 96% ethanol, and 50% sucrose. The resulting soaps were evaluated for their organoleptic characteristics, stability test, physical evaluation and antibacterial efficacy. Findings indicate that the transparent solid soap formulations with 0.5% A. malaccensis leaf extract showed moderate antibacterial power, while 2 % extract yields an antiseptic liquid soap with strong antibacterial power. The research result about antibacterial soap formulations could be used for the development of antiseptic soap in the future.