Plant Oil Based Soap
Abstract
This laboratory is one in a series that I use in Biology 401: Applied Plant Science. This course is designed for students who have had at least one introductory Biology course, either for a major or a non-major. The goal in the course is to give the student an appreciation for the importance of plants to human society. Each laboratory session is designed to give the student an appreciation for how plants contribute to society and an experience in original processing of plants for their use. This laboratory session complements our lectures on the plant oil industry. Students work in groups of four. They choose their organic plant based colorant and fragrance for their soap. Since the process goes quickly we also make chicle based chewing gum during this laboratory session.