DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY-BASED HERBAL TOOTHPASTE PRODUCTION PROCESS FOR ENHANCED EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCT QUALITY

Abstract

          The objectives of this study was to develop the formula and production process of an herbal toothpaste for a community enterprise group to enhance product quality, stability, and suitability for community-scale production. The study focused on improving production efficiency by using a whisk-type mixer instead of manual mixing. The developed formulation and process were then evaluated for product quality before transferring this knowledge to the Thapra Fangklong Community Enterprise Group in U Thong District, Suphanburi Province, for sustainable production. The research was conducted with an experimental approach using herbal raw materials obtained from the community group. All experiments were carried out in a laboratory. The study involved measuring the moisture content of dried herbal powders, adjusting the proportion of glycerin, testing the addition of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a binder, and replacing manual mixing with a whisk-type mixer. Data were analyzed descriptively using mean and standard deviation. The results showed that the formulation containing 30% glycerin by weight provided desirable texture and moisture content without the need for additional binder. The use of a whisk-type mixer reduced the production time from 4 hours to 20 minutes and increased the production volume per batch from 2 kg to 4 kg. The final product exhibited a pH of 8.5–8.7, a smooth texture with no separation, and maintained stability under accelerated storage conditions. The transfer of knowledge enabled the community group to independently operate the mixing equipment, effectively control moisture, and improve product quality. Moreover, the production capacity increased from 50 jars per month to 300 jars per month. This study demonstrated the potential of applying research findings to upgrade community herbal products, generate income, and strengthen the local economy sustainably.