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A wide variety of surfactants are available in the market with different Hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) values; therefore, one must choose suitable surfactants and their concentration to give maximum effect in the final product in an early stage of formulation development. The required HLB value of the oil phase was determined by experiments and the emulsifier selected of the same HLB value reduced the number of formulations with increased stability and minimum quantity of emulsifier. This study reviews the importance of the required HLB system and methods of determining it. Further, it also provides the surfactants application in the production of coconut oil emulsion with butter-like properties. The Griffin approach does the conventional way of determining the required HLB value of the oil phase. Various emulsions were prepared with emulsifier blends of Span and Tween, covering all the HLB range as per the final product and emulsion type, and observed regarding their separating/emulsifying properties with variable time or concentration. Interfacial Tension (IFT), Droplet Size, Zeta potential, centrifugal separation measurements of the emulsion prepared with food-grade emulsifiers like Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR), Distilled Monoglycerides (DMG), and Lecithin, was carried out to identify the best suitable emulsifier and its concentration which gives better emulsion stability. The coconut and sunflower oil blend (70:30, w/w) shows, the required HLB value is 3.7 when it emulsified with 60% of water and found that PGPR + DMG blend gives maximum emulsion stability at 3% of emulsifier concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To utilize a matrix of single‐fiber hair testing methodologies to mechanistically understand the impact of common oiling treatments—coconut oil and mineral oil—on hair strands. Further, the effect of hair twisting—experienced in everyday grooming practices—on hair strength was investigated under different scenarios. Methods: Study involved multiple surfactant wash cycles of hair swatches with and without overnight hair oil treatments. Instrumental testing was done on strands from hair swatches—Tensile Extension, Torsional Stretching, and Tensile Extension of twisted hair fibers. Results: Differentiation was observed in tensile and torsional testing parameters with 20 wash cycles, while no statistical significance was observed in single wash. However, when we combine the two stresses together by extending the twisted hair strands, a clear differentiation was seen even in single cycle for coconut oil in comparison with mineral oil and surfactant wash. The differentiation in tensile parameters for twisted fibers becomes much more prominent with multiple cycles. Penetration of coconut oil in hair strands makes the fiber core more flexible and thus helps negotiate the torsional stress at the time of extension. Conclusions: Product benefit discrimination in single‐strand testing can be amplified by combining multiple stresses in one testing methodology. Observing the consumer habits and incorporating the torsion component in standard tensile testing of hair helps differentiate the two commonly used hair oiling treatments. Coconut oil was found to significantly increase the tensile strength of twisted fibers owing to its penetration inside hair core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coconut oil as health oil was recognized in Ayurvedic medicine almost 4000 years ago. The same health effects were also attributed to the mother's milk in ancient literature. Modern research has now found a common link between these two natural health products - their lipid content. The medium chain fatty acids and monoglycerides found primarily in coconut oil have miraculous healing power which act as natural antibiotic and also help modulate immunity. The information discussed in this review explains that coconut oil, either topically applied or ingested, gets broken down to release Lauric Acid and Monolaurin - known anti-microbial agents. The studies reported in literature are discussed to evaluate the antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal benefits of coconut oil. Not only does coconut oil metabolites have antimicrobial activity but also these remarkable derivatives have been shown not to cause resistance organisms to appear. The anti-microbial mechanistic action also helps activate the antiinflammatory nature of the immune response in human body. In vitro, animal, and human studies support the potential of coconut oil as effective and safe immune-nutritive active. New and exciting health and industrial uses of coconut oil and its derivative are possible. Never before in recent times has the recognition of the positive health effects of coconut oil been stronger. And never before in the history of man is it so important to emphasize both need and efficacy of natural products known for their safety proposition. Immunity has been a buzzword in the current scenario and the demand for modulating immunity with natural means has been so unprecedented and so ubiquitous. Coconut oil and its value added forms can contribute to a more vigorous and healthy future., (© Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 2011.)

Improper hair care, mechanical abrasion, sun damage and chemical treatment changes the physical and morphological characteristics of hair. Several methods involving microscopic techniques, protein loss and assessment of tensile properties of the hair are generally used to evaluate the extent of damage caused. These are also used to determine the protective effect of hair care products. In the present investigation, the hair breakage index (HBI) was used as an alternative tool to determine the change in the properties of hair on weathering. HBI is a measure of the diameter of hair in a given cross sectional area of a marked region of hair on the scalp. The hair diameter changes as we progress towards the tip of the hair due to breakage. The ratio of the diameter of hair bundle in the distal region to the diameter of hair bundle in the proximal region from the scalp is used as an indicator of hair breakage. Higher HBI value is an indicator of hair damage.A study was conducted for duration of 16 weeks to assess the effect of weathering due to grooming practices on HBI values. The HBI and break stress for a group of 30 subjects were measured at baseline and at the end of 16 weeks (NU). Since Coconut oil (CNO) is known to have a positive benefit on tensile properties of hair, another matched group of 30 subjects who oiled their hair daily with CNO was used as a positive control (CNO). The HBI and break stress for this group were also measured at the baseline and after 16 weeks. It was observed that the HBI significantly increased in the NU group versus the CNO user group. The break stress also significantly decreased in the NU group suggesting its correlation with the HBI data. This study demonstrates the usefulness of HBI as a simple and effective tool for determining hair damage and its protection by different hair care products.