KKN Innovation: Dishwashing Soap from Banana Peel, Natural and Economical

On Monday (22/07/2024), UNDIP Team II KKN Students carried out educational activities in the form of processing banana peel waste into dishwashing soap in Karangturi Hamlet, Dalangan Village, Tawangsari District, Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java. This program was attended by PKK RW X Karangturi mothers. This work program was created with the aim of reducing banana peel waste and allowing the community to make more use of banana peels.

Banana peel waste is the part of the banana that is usually thrown away after the flesh is consumed. Even though they are often considered rubbish, banana peels contain useful nutrients and chemical compounds, such as: starch, fiber, potassium, and Vitamin C. Starch itself functions as a source of energy and the fiber in banana peels helps clean the surface, while potassium helps soften the skin. The vitamin C content is an antioxidant that is good for the skin.

Banana peel waste can be used as dish washing soap because it contains saponin which has properties similar to surfactants in commercial soap, namely it can reduce the surface tension of water and produce foam. The fibers in banana peels can help scrub and clean dirt that sticks to kitchen and eating utensils. Then processing banana peel waste into dishwashing soap is also environmentally friendly because it can reduce the amount of organic waste thrown into the environment.

The activity begins with an introduction to the tools and materials for making dishwashing soap. Dish washing soap is made by cleaning banana peels and cutting them into small pieces, then mix the banana peels with water and blend until smooth. The finely ground banana peel is filtered and obtained banana cult juice, then prepare EDTA, Texapon, lime, salt, food coloring and essential oil. Prepare the first mixture, namely mixing the Texapon with water until the Texapon is completely dissolved, also add EDTA and salt then stir until it dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly like normal dishwashing soap. The filtered banana peel waste is mixed into the first mixture and added lime, food coloring and essential oil. Dishwashing soap is ready to use.

It is hoped this KKN Program can make people use leather waste more bananas are a product that can be reused and has use value. [Contributor : Alifa Nur Shabrina]