Abstract:
The research was aimed to extract polysaccharide from Okra pods (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) and studied its moisturizing effects. The polysaccharide from fresh and dry Okra pods was extracted with water and precipitated with ethanol. The yield of polysaccharide from fresh and dry Okra pods was 0.63% and 0.43, respectively. The extracted polysaccharides showed pH value of 7.29 and solubility of 0.2% (w/v) in DI water. XRD analysis of polysaccharide showed 8.27% crystalline structure. FTIR spectrum showed the presences of methyl, carbonyl, and hydroxyl group in the polysaccharide structure. To evaluate the moisturizing effect of water extract and polysaccharide from Okra pods in comparison to sodium hyaluronate, 3 formulas were prepared; gel base containing water extract (formula 1), gel base with polysaccharide (formulation 2) and gel base with sodium hyaluronate (formulation 3). The result showed no significant difference on the effect between 3 formulations (p>0.05), but formulation 1 had the highest moisturizing effect lasting 240 minutes. Furthermore, the preference test comparing formulation 1 and a commercial product revealed that most of the volunteers preferred the texture of formulation 1, but they recommended improving the moisturizing efficacy. Moreover, all formula showed good stability under heat-throw condition and no irritation on 20 volunteers.