Sustainable business practices in salt soap of Phetchaburi’s Thai Sea Salt Agriculture Cooperative

Phetchaburi Province is the most important sea salt production area in Thailand.  However, nearly almost of salt famers member are debts cause by the production cost increased especially daily employed and fuel whereas the salt price has been declined by market mechanism and middleman pricing. The flower of salt is more expensive than grinded salt due to its enriched natural composition and consumer-friendly acceptability.     The objective of the study is to show the sustainable market based on consumer survey and sensory analysis data for the flower-salt soap bar product. One hundred and fifty customers were surveyed by a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire on product properties and packaging acceptance at modern department stores in Bangkok, Thailand. Sensory tests with eight visually impaired panels were conducted on cleansing properties at Kasetsart University Sensory Analysis and Consumer Research Center (KUSCR), KU. The result found that texture property and packaging design are highly correlated with consumer Likert scores. The sensory data in teams of solubility, foam ability, bubble cream, bubble volume, and washing residue were nearly similar to the commercial flower-salt soap.  Sustainability components analysis shown this product is high potential in promoting the local economy in local raw material used, local employment, eco-friendly product, and product reliability.  

Keywords:  flower-salted soap bar, sensory analysis, visually impaired people