UTILIZATION OF USED COOKING OIL AS A BASE MATERIAL FOR MAKING PAPER SOAP ENRICHED WITH BASIL LEAF EXTRACT (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) AS A NATURAL ANTISEPTIC

The reuse of used cooking oil poses serious health and environmental risks owing to the formation of toxic and carcinogenic compounds. Therefore, alternative utilization of used cooking oil in value-added and environmentally friendly products is necessary. One potential application is its use as a base material for paper soap enriched with natural antiseptic agents derived from herbs. This study aimed to utilize purified used cooking oil as a base material for producing paper soap enriched with basil leaf extract (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) and to evaluate its antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. This study employed an experimental descriptive design. Used cooking oil was purified through degumming, neutralization, and bleaching before being formulated into paper soap. The antibacterial activity of the paper soap was evaluated using the disk diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins in basil leaf extract. The paper soap containing basil leaf extract and peppermint fragrance showed the highest antibacterial activity, with an inhibition zone diameter of 19.05 mm, which was categorized as strong antibacterial activity. Paper soap enriched with basil leaf extract (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) demonstrated strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, indicating its potential as a natural antiseptic and an environmentally friendly hygiene product. Keywords: Basil Leaf Extract (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.), Disk Diffusion Method, Inhibition Test, Paper Soap Used Cooking Oil.