VALORISATION OF PADDY HUSK: EXTRACTION OF SILICA FOR SUSTAINABLE DETERGENT FORMULATION

The increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability and waste management has driven interest in the valorisation of agricultural residues. Rice husk, a by-product of rice milling, is often considered waste with limited commercial applications. This study explores the extraction of silica from rice husk ash (RHA) using thermal treatment and chemical extraction techniques, followed by its utilization as an abrasive agent in detergent formulations. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of silica in the extracted material. Detergent samples formulated with sodium silicate derived from RHA were evaluated for foam stability, free alkali content, moisture content, and pH. The lab-formulated detergent exhibited a pH of approximately 9, a foam retention time of 13 minutes, foam height of 4.2 cm and a free alkali content of 0.0224 %. Comparative analyses with conventional detergents demonstrated that the RHA-based detergents exhibit comparable cleaning efficacy while being non-toxic and biodegradable. This study presents a sustainable approach to transforming agricultural waste into a valuable raw material for the detergent industry, contributing to circular economy practices and eco-friendly product development.