Soap from oils isolated from palm tree

Abstract

Described herein are methods of preparing soaps using oil from offshoots of date palms. Soap compositions are also disclosed.

Description

[0001] SOAP FROM OILS ISOLATED FROM PALM TREE

[0002] RELATED APPLICATION / S

[0003] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 524,943, filed on July 5, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0004] FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to soaps derived from oils of palm trees.

[0006] “Palm oil” generally refers to an edible oil derived from the mesocarp (reddish pulp) of the fruit of oil palms, primarily the African oil palm (Elaeis guineensisp and to a lesser extent from the American oil palm (Elaeis oleifera) and the maripa palm (Attalea maripa). Palm oil is typically rich in palmitic acid and oleic acid, in somewhat equal proportions. The kernels of the fruit may also be used as a source of oil, which is often referred to as “palm kernel oil”. Palm kernel oil, like coconut oil (another oil derived from a palm species), is rich in short saturated fatty acids, particularly lauric and myristic acid.

[0007] The date palm is a tall, evergreen tree (Phoenix dactylifera L.) whose provenance for millennia is in the dry regions of the Middle East, Northern Africa, the Sahara and the Indus Valley. In contrast with other palm species, the date palm is characterized by its edible fruit, which has a high sugar content, and is primarily grown for food. According to reports in the scientific literature, oil has been extracted from date kernels of different date varieties using Soxhlet extraction, maceration, extraction with supercritical CO2, or ultrasonication, with reported yields ranging from 3 to 14 % [Mrabet et al., Foods 2020, 9:787]. The oil of date kernels has been found adequate for cosmetic uses, but the date kernels are usually not exploited for their relatively low oil content.

[0008] Date farming results in considerable amount of biomass as waste material. A date palm tree produces multiple cloned offshoots per year (e.g., 3-7 depending on its sub-type). In order to enhance fruit growth, the offshoots are commonly removed by growers to allocate the tree’s energy from the offshoots to the fruits. Such offshoots are sometimes re-planted in order to renew and enlarge the date palm population, but usually they are discarded by burning.

[0009] Additional background art includes Namdar et al. [Archaeometry 2018, 60:571-593]; PCT Application WO2022 / 049578, Chinese Patent CN1132240, US Patent 5,750,481 and US Patent 6,218,348. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a soap comprising 10- 40 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of an oil extracted from date palm offshoot.

[0011] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap further comprises saponified products of an additional plant oil, with the proviso that the additional plant oil is not palm oil derived from the fruit of a palm tree.

[0012] According to embodiments of the invention, at least 20 % of the weight of all the oil in the soap is the oil of the date palm offshoot.

[0013] According to embodiments of the invention, the plant oil is selected from the group consisting of coconut oil, date kernel oil, olive oil, canola oil and sunflower oil.

[0014] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap is devoid of saponified products of date kernel oil.

[0015] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap is devoid of coconut oil.

[0016] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises saponified products of plant oils, the plant oils consisting of oil extracted from date palm offshoot, olive oil and coconut oil.

[0017] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises saponified products of plant oils, the plant oils consisting of oil extracted from date palm offshoot, olive oil and date kernel oil.

[0018] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap further comprises saponified products of a plant-based butter.

[0019] According to embodiments of the invention, the plant-based butter is shea butter and / or cacao butter.

[0020] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap is devoid of animal products.

[0021] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 0.5 to 3.5% by wt. a salt of a protic acid.

[0022] According to embodiments of the invention, the salt of the protic acid is selected from the group consisting of sodium salts or potassium salts of hydrochloric acid, adipic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid and mixtures thereof.

[0023] According to embodiments of the invention, the salt of the protic acid comprises sodium lactate.

[0024] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap further comprises a skin-beneficial agent selected from the group consisting of moisturizing agent, a vitamin, a mineral, a clay and an antimicrobial agent. According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 0.1-10 % weight of the skin-beneficial agent.

[0025] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap further comprises a fragrance.

[0026] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap is a solid bar.

[0027] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap is a liquid soap.

[0028] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap is translucent.

[0029] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap is a spray, a butter or a cream.

[0030] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of generating the soap disclosed herein, comprising contacting a composition comprising oil extracted from date palm offshoot with a saponifying agent under conditions that generate a soap, thereby generating the soap disclosed herein.

[0031] According to embodiments of the invention, the composition further comprises at least one additional plant oil which is not derived from the fruit of a date palm tree, wherein at least 20 % of the weight of all the oil in the composition is the oil extracted from date palm offshoot.

[0032] According to embodiments of the invention, the composition is devoid of animal derived oils.

[0033] According to embodiments of the invention, the saponifying agent is sodium hydroxide.

[0034] According to embodiments of the invention, the at least one additional plant oil is selected from the group consisting of coconut oil, date kernel oil, olive oil, canola oil and sunflower oil.

[0035] According to embodiments of the invention, the at least one additional plant oil comprises olive oil and date kernel oil.

[0036] According to embodiments of the invention, the at least one additional plant oil comprises olive oil and coconut oil.

[0037] According to embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises extracting the oil from the date palm offshoot.

[0038] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a soap obtainable according to the methods described herein.

[0039] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and / or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and / or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting. DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0040] The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to utilization of natural products, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to isolation of compositions from palm trees.

[0041] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details set forth in the following description or exemplified by the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0042] The present inventors have uncovered novel soap formulations using oil from non-edible portions of the date palm, such as date palm offshoots and optionally date kernels (which are generally regarded as agricultural waste materials in the date industry), yield soaps. The soaps are of high quality and possess excellent cleansing properties. Further, solid soaps (bars) generated from date palm offshoots have good bar properties, e.g., adequate hardness and low gritdiiess.

[0043] ’Thus, according to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a soap comprising comprising 10-40 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of an oil extracted from date palm offshoot.

[0044] The term “soap” refers to a cleaning agent which can be in either the liquid and solid form (e.g. bars, powder, cream, spray, butter etc.). In one embodiment, the soap is used for cleaning the human body.

[0045] Herein, the terms “date palm” and “date tree” (which are used herein interchangeably) refer to any palm of the genus Phoenix, including domesticated and wild individuals, and including any cultivar thereof.

[0046] In exemplary embodiments, the date palm is Phoenix dactylifera.

[0047] Herein, the term “date palm offshoot” refers to any trunk-like structure other than the central trunk of the date palm, with a growth point capable of growing leaves which is distinct from the growth point (and associated leaves) of the central trunk. The offshoot used to make the soap does not comprise fruit tissue, including seeds. The offshoot may grow out of the central trunk or the bulb or root system of the date palm. Offshoots attached to the central trunk below ground (e.g., via a common bulb or root system) may have the appearance of a separate tree (albeit one which tends to exit the ground somewhat diagonally), although they actually represents a portion of the same organism.

[0048] Herein, the term “oil” encompasses any hydrophobic substance. The term “saponified product” refers to the product of the saponification reaction whereby an oil is treated with a saponifying agent (e.g. sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide). In one embodiment, the saponifying agent is an aqueous solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide.

[0049] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 15-40 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of an oil extracted from date palm offshoot.

[0050] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 20-40 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of an oil extracted from date palm offshoot.

[0051] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 25-40 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of an oil extracted from date palm offshoot.

[0052] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 15-35 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of an oil extracted from date palm offshoot.

[0053] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 15-30 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of an oil extracted from date palm offshoot.

[0054] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 20-30 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of an oil extracted from date palm offshoot.

[0055] The soaps described herein, according to some embodiments, may be derived solely from plant-based products (i.e. devoid of animal products).

[0056] In order to extract oil from a date palm offshoot, the offshoot is pressed.

[0057] Herein, the term “pressing” encompasses any application of pressure to a date palm offshoot which facilitates release of oil from the tissue; including e.g., squeezing, grinding, cutting, reaming, and centrifugation. In exemplary embodiments, pressing is effected by a rotating screw-like pole. Facilitating release of oil may optionally comprise breaking down the structure of the date palm offshoot tissue (e.g., breaking cell walls to release cellular contents and / or the connections between cells), for example, by squeezing, grinding, reaming and / or cutting; and / or separating oil from date palm offshoot solids (and optionally also aqueous liquids), for example, by forcing the oil (e.g., using one or more rotating screws, centrifugation, and / or hydraulic pressure) through a filter which blocks solids (e.g., fiber, screen and / or perforated barrier) and / or by separating oil from plant solids (and optionally also aqueous liquid) according to specific gravity (e.g., by centrifugation).

[0058] In some of any of the embodiments described herein, at least a portion of the date palm offshoot tissue is meristematic tissue. In some such embodiments, the method further comprises removal of at least a portion of non-meristematic tissue (e.g., parenchymatic tissue) prior to pressing, and optionally substantially all of the non-meristematic tissue (e.g., parenchymatic tissue). Pressing optionally comprises more than one stage; for example, a first stage for breaking down the date palm offshoot tissue structure (e.g., to obtain a paste), and a second stage for separating oil from solids (e.g., the solids in an obtained paste) and optionally also from an aqueous liquid. Optionally, the date palm offshoot tissue is churned or mixed (e.g., for at least 10 minutes and / or up to 3 hours) between the first stage and the second stage; for example, to promote aggregation of small oil droplets released in the first stage, which may facilitate oil separation in the second stage.

[0059] In some of any of the embodiments described herein, the pressing comprises cold pressing.

[0060] Herein, the term “cold pressing” refers to pressing wherein the plant tissue is at a temperature of less than 40 °C for the duration of the pressing process, and optionally at a temperature of less than 30 °C, and optionally at a temperature of less than 27 °C.

[0061] Pressing according to any of the embodiments described herein may optionally be effected using any technique and / or apparatus known in the art for obtaining oil from other plants (e.g., olive oil). Alternatively or additionally, a technique and / or apparatus known in the art for extracting juice (fruit juice) may be used, e.g., to obtain a liquid which comprises both oil and an aqueous phase, optionally followed by separation of the oil from the aqueous liquid (e.g., by decantation, centrifugation and / or using a water-immiscible solvent). Techniques and / or apparatuses suitable for obtaining oil from relatively soft tissue such as olives and / or for extracting juice from succulent tissue such as carrots may be particularly suitable for obtaining oil from date palm offshoots.

[0062] For example, pressing date palm offshoots according to any of the respective embodiments described herein may optionally be effected using an apparatus configured with relatively small openings (e.g., in a filter which blocks solids according to any of the respective embodiments described herein) for releasing fluid (e.g., oil), for example, less than 5 mm (e.g., no more than 4 mm) in diameter and / or less than 20 mm2(e.g., no more than 15 mm2) in area; whereas pressing relatively hard tissue (e.g., date kernel tissue) according to any of the respective embodiments described herein may optionally be effected using an apparatus configured with relatively large openings for releasing fluid (e.g., oil), for example, at least 5 mm (e.g., at least 6 mm or at least 7 mm) in diameter and / or at least 20 mm2(e.g., at least 30 mm2or at least 40 mm2) in area.

[0063] In some of any of the embodiments described herein, the method further comprises separating an aqueous and / or polysaccharide-containing fraction from an oil-containing fraction subsequently to pressing. Separating an aqueous and / or polysaccharide-containing fraction may optionally be effected using centrifugation, for example, using techniques and / or apparatuses designed for separating aqueous fractions from other types of oil (e.g., olive oil).

[0064] Additionally or alternatively, separating an aqueous and / or polysaccharide-containing fraction is optionally effected by contacting a liquid obtained upon pressing with a water- immiscible solvent, optionally by forming a phase containing the water-immiscible solvent and oil-containing fraction which is readily separated from a more polar phase containing the aqueous and / or polysaccharide-containing fraction. The water-immiscible solvent may optionally then be evaporated to obtain the oil-containing fraction.

[0065] Dichloromethane is an exemplary water-immiscible solvent for separating an aqueous and / or polysaccharide-containing fraction from an oil-containing fraction. However, the use of other water-immiscible solvents is also contemplated; for example, nonpolar solvents such as alkanes and cycloalkanes (e.g., pentane, hexane, cyclopentane, cyclohexane), benzene and substituted derivatives thereof (e.g., toluene, xylene), chloroform, tetrachloromethane, and ethers (e.g., diethyl ether), and water-immiscible polar solvents such as certain esters (e.g., ethyl acetate) and alcohols (e.g., n-butanol, alcohols with 5 or more carbon atoms).

[0066] Oils obtained by pressing date palm offshoots comprise esters of fatty acids, for example, triglycerides (i.e., an ester of glycerol and three fatty acids).

[0067] Herein, the term “esters of fatty acids” refers to any compound comprising at least one ester bond formed from a fatty acid moiety and an alcohol moiety. For example, the alcohol moiety may optionally be a glycerol moiety, which may be attached to one, two or three fatty acid moieties, thus respectively forming a monoglyceride, a diglyceride, and a triglyceride. Examples of monoglycerides and diglycerides include, without limitation, phosphoglycerides (wherein the glycerol is attached to a substituted or non-substituted phosphoryl group) such as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidic acid. Alternatively, the alcohol may be a simple alcohol (i.e., comprising only one -OH group) attached to a fatty acid - such esters are also known as “wax esters”.

[0068] Herein, the term “fatty acid” includes any compound comprising a chain of carbon atoms at least 4 carbon atoms in length which includes a -C(=O)OH group. Optionally, the carbon atom chain is at least 10 carbon atoms in length (e.g., from 10-30 carbon atoms in length). Optionally, the fatty acid has the formula R-C(=O)OH, wherein R is non-substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon chain which may be saturated or unsaturated.

[0069] In some of any of the embodiments described herein relating to esters of fatty acids, at least 50 weight percent of the esters of fatty acids are triglycerides. In some embodiments, at least 60 weight percent of the esters of fatty acids are triglycerides. In some embodiments, at least 70 weight percent of the esters of fatty acids are triglycerides, In some embodiments, at least 80 weight percent of the esters of fatty acids are triglycerides, In some embodiments, at least 90 weight percent of the esters of fatty acids are triglycerides, In some embodiments, at least 95 weight percent of the esters of fatty acids are triglycerides, In some embodiments, at least 98 weight percent of the esters of fatty acids are triglycerides. In some embodiments, at least 99 weight percent of the esters of fatty acids are triglycerides.

[0070] In some of any of the respective embodiments described herein, at least 10 weight percent of the fatty acids are linolelaidic acid; for example, wherein from 10 to 60 weight percent, or from 10 to 50 weight percent, or from 10 to 40 weight percent, or from 10 to 30 weight percent, or from 10 to 20 weight percent of the fatty acids are linolelaidic acid. In some such embodiments, at least 20 weight percent of the fatty acids are linolelaidic acid; for example, wherein from 20 to 60 weight percent, or from 20 to 50 weight percent, or from 20 to 40 weight percent, or from 20 to 30 weight percent of the fatty acids are linolelaidic acid. In some embodiments, at least 30 weight percent of the fatty acids are linolelaidic acid; for example, wherein from 30 to 60 weight percent, or from 30 to 50 weight percent, or from 30 to 40 weight percent of the fatty acids are linolelaidic acid.

[0071] As exemplified herein, linolelaidic acid is a fatty acid which is uncommon in nature, but is present in characteristically large proportions (largely in esterified form) in oil derived from non-fruit tissue of date palm, which is also rich in palmitic acid.

[0072] In some of any of the respective embodiments described herein, at least 20 weight percent of the fatty acids are palmitic acid; for example, wherein from 20 to 70 weight percent, or from 20 to 60 weight percent, or from 20 to 50 weight percent, or from 20 to 40 weight percent, or from 20 to 30 weight percent of the fatty acids are palmitic acid. In some such embodiments, at least 30 weight percent of the fatty acids are palmitic acid; for example, wherein from 30 to 70 weight percent, or from 30 to 60 weight percent, or from 30 to 50 weight percent, or from 30 to 40 weight percent of the fatty acids are palmitic acid. In some embodiments, at least 40 weight percent of the fatty acids are palmitic acid; for example, wherein from 40 to 70 weight percent, or from 40 to 60 weight percent, or from 40 to 50 weight percent of the fatty acids are palmitic acid.

[0073] In some of any of the respective embodiments described herein, the total of linolelaidic acid and palmitic acid is least 50 weight percent of the fatty acids; for example, wherein from 50 to 90 weight percent, or from 50 to 80 weight percent, or from 50 to 70 weight percent, or from 50 to 60 weight percent of the fatty acids are linolelaidic acid and / or palmitic acid. In some such embodiments, the total of linolelaidic acid and palmitic acid is least 60 weight percent of the fatty acids; for example, wherein from 60 to 90 weight percent, or from 60 to 80 weight percent, or from 60 to 70 weight percent of the fatty acids are linolelaidic acid and / or palmitic acid. In some embodiments, the total of linolelaidic acid and palmitic acid is least 70 weight percent of the fatty acids; for example, wherein from 70 to 90 weight percent, or from 70 to 80 weight percent of the fatty acids are linolelaidic acid and / or palmitic acid.

[0074] As further exemplified herein, the fatty acids of oil derived from non-fruit tissue of date palm may further comprise (in addition to linolelaidic acid and palmitic acid) substantial proportions of stearic acid and / or linoleic acid.

[0075] In some of any of the respective embodiments described herein, at least 5 weight percent of the fatty acids are stearic acid; for example, wherein from 5 to 20 weight percent, or from 5 to 15 weight percent, or from 5 to 10 weight percent of the fatty acids are stearic acid. In some such embodiments, at least 10 weight percent of the fatty acids are stearic acid; for example, wherein from 10 to 20 weight percent, or from 10 to 15 weight percent of the fatty acids are stearic acid.

[0076] In some of any of the respective embodiments described herein, the total of linolelaidic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid is least 70 weight percent of the fatty acids; for example, wherein from 70 to 95 weight percent, or from 70 to 90 weight percent, or from 70 to 80 weight percent of the fatty acids are linolelaidic acid, palmitic acid and / or stearic acid. In some such embodiments, the total of linolelaidic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid is least 80 weight percent of the fatty acids; for example, wherein from 80 to 95 weight percent, or from 80 to 90 weight percent of the fatty acids are linolelaidic acid, palmitic acid and / or stearic acid. In some embodiments, the total of linolelaidic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid is least 85 weight percent of the fatty acids; for example, wherein from 85 to 95 weight percent, or from 85 to 90 weight percent of the fatty acids are linolelaidic acid, palmitic acid and / or stearic acid.

[0077] In some of any of the respective embodiments described herein, at least 0.2 weight percent of the fatty acids are pentadecanoic acid; for example, wherein from 0.2 to 5 weight percent, or from 0.2 to 2 weight percent, or from 0.2 to 1 weight percent, of the fatty acids are pentadecanoic acid. In some such embodiments, at least 0.5 weight percent of the fatty acids are pentadecanoic acid; for example, wherein from 0.5 to 5 weight percent, or from 0.5 to 2 weight percent, or about 1 weight percent of the fatty acids are pentadecanoic acid. Pentadecanoic acid is a relatively rare fatty acid, such that its presence in exemplary oil obtained as described herein in even small amounts may be distinctive.

[0078] As further exemplified herein, the fatty acids of oil derived from non-fruit tissue of date palm may be further characterized in having a low proportion of oleic acid, lauric acid and myristic acid. In contrast, oil derived from date kernels (fruit tissue) or oil palm fruit tends to be rich in oleic acid, whereas oil derived from coconut and oil palm kernels tends to be rich in lauric acid and myristic acid.

[0079] In some of any of the respective embodiments described herein, no more than 10 weight percent of the fatty acids in the oil are oleic acid. In some such embodiments, no more than 5 weight percent of the fatty acids are oleic acid. In some embodiments, no more than 2 weight percent of the fatty acids are oleic acid. In exemplary embodiments, no more than about 1 weight percent of the fatty acids is oleic acid.

[0080] In some of any of the respective embodiments described herein, no more than 5 weight percent of the fatty acids in the oil are lauric acid. In some such embodiments, no more than 2 weight percent of the fatty acids are lauric acid. In exemplary embodiments, less than 1 weight percent of the fatty acids is lauric acid.

[0081] In some of any of the respective embodiments described herein, no more than 5 weight percent of the fatty acids in the oil are myristic acid. In some such embodiments, no more than 2 weight percent of the fatty acids are myristic acid. In exemplary embodiments, less than 1 weight percent of the fatty acids is myristic acid.

[0082] In some of any of the respective embodiments described herein, the total of oleic acid, lauric acid and myristic acid is no more than 10 weight percent of the fatty acids. In some such embodiments, the total of oleic acid, lauric acid and myristic acid is no more than 5 weight percent of the fatty acids. In some such embodiments, the total of oleic acid, lauric acid and myristic acid is no more than 2 weight percent of the fatty acids. In some such embodiments, the total of oleic acid, lauric acid and myristic acid is no more than 1 weight percent of the fatty acids.

[0083] The soap of this aspect of the present invention may comprises saponified products of an additional plant oil, with the proviso that the additional plant oil is not palm oil derived from the fruit of a palm tree.

[0084] Contemplated plant oils include, but are not limited to coconut oil, almond oil, sesame oil, jojoba oil, date kernel oil, olive oil, canola oil and sunflower oil.

[0085] When oils other than date palm offshoot oil are used, at least 20, 30 %, 40 % or even 50% of the weight of all the oil used to make the soap is oil extracted from date palm offshoot.

[0086] According to a particular embodiment, the soap comprises saponified products of oil extracted from date palm offshoot oil and oil extracted from date kernel.

[0087] In other embodiments, the soap is devoid of saponified products of oil extracted from date kernel. An oil extracted from date kernel tissue may be characterized by the presence of relatively short fatty acids such as lauric acid and / or myristic acid. In some embodiments, the fatty acids of the oil comprise at least 5 weight percent lauric acid, optionally at least 10 weight percent. In some embodiments, the fatty acids of the oil comprise at least 5 weight percent myristic acid, optionally at least 10 weight percent. In some embodiments, the total concentration of lauric acid and myristic acid is at least 8 weight percent of the fatty acids, optionally at least 16 weight percent.

[0088] Alternatively or additionally, an oil obtained from date kernel tissue according to any of the respective embodiments described herein is optionally characterized by a relatively high proportion of oleic acid (e.g., at least 40 weight percent of the fatty acids) and / or by a relatively low proportion of palmitic acid (e.g., no more than 30 weight percent or no more than 25 weight percent of the fatty acids).

[0089] According to a particular embodiment, the soap comprises saponified products of oil extracted from date palm offshoot and olive oil

[0090] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 15-40 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of olive oil.

[0091] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 20-40 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of olive oil.

[0092] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 25-40 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of olive oil.

[0093] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 15-35 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of olive oil.

[0094] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 15-30 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of olive oil.

[0095] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 20-30 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of olive oil.

[0096] Typically, the ratio of olive oil: date palm offshoot oil is about 1:1 (weight ratio).

[0097] According to one embodiment, the soap comprises saponified products of date palm offshoot oil, olive oil and coconut oil.

[0098] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 10-30 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of coconut oil.

[0099] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 15-30 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of coconut oil. According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 10-25 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of coconut oil.

[0100] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 15-25 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of coconut oil.

[0101] Typically, the ratio of olive oil: date palm offshoot oil is about 1:1 (weight ratio) in the soap and the amount of coconut oil is between half to equal the amount of olive oil / date palm offshoot oil (by weight).

[0102] In one embodiment, the soap is devoid of saponified products of coconut oil.

[0103] According to still other embodiments, the soap comprise saponified products of plant oils, the plant oils consisting of date palm offshoot oil, olive oil and coconut oil.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the soap comprises saponified products of date palm offshoot oil, olive oil and date kernel oil

[0105] According to still other embodiments, the soap comprises saponified products of plant oils, the plant oils consisting of date palm offshoot oil, olive oil and date kernel oil.

[0106] According to one embodiment, the soap comprises saponified products of date palm offshoot oil, olive oil and date kernel oil.

[0107] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 10-30 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of date kernel oil.

[0108] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 15-30 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of date kernel oil.

[0109] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 10-25 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of date kernel oil.

[0110] According to embodiments of the invention, the soap comprises 15-25 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of date kernel oil.

[0111] Typically, the ratio of olive oil: date palm offshoot oil is about 1:1 (weight ratio) in the soap and the amount of date kernel oil is between half to equal the amount of olive oil / date palm offshoot oil (by weight).

[0112] The soaps described herein may comprises saponified products of plant-based butters including, but not limited to shea butter and / or cacao butter.

[0113] The soaps of this aspect of the present invention may optionally comprise Polyalkylene Glycol. Polyalkylene glycols include polyethylene glycols, polypropylene, block and random copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, and their mixtures. Another useful class of polyalkylene glycols are polyethylene glycol, especially those with MW greater or equal to 1000 that are hydrophobically modified by substitution on one or more of the terminal hydroxyl groups with long chain alkyl or acyl groups. Especially preferred polyalkylene glycols are polyethylene glycols of MW from about 300 to 25.000. preferably 300 to 10,000 and more preferably 400 to 8000. The amount of polyalkylene glycol present in the bar should be selected such that they are sufficient to improve skin condition in either by reducing the barrier damage as measured by tran sepidermal water loss, increasing skin hydration as measured by skin conductivity / capacitance, and / or by reducing visual dryness. In practice, this requires a level of PAG in the range of about 0.5 to 30% by wt., preferably 1.5 to 25% by wt., more preferably 2 to about 15% by wt.

[0114] The soaps (e.g. solid soap) of this aspect of the present invention may further comprise a salt of a protic acid. A protic acid commonly is any acid that readily yields protons, i.e., a Bronstead Acid. More specifically, the protic acid salt should have pKal (referring to the first proton to be donated) of less than 6, preferably less than 5.5. Among the salts of such protic acids are selected inorganic and organic acids. The specific inorganic protic acids salts include the magnesium, potassium and especially sodium salts of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, carbonic acid, and pyrophosphoric acid. The selected organic protic acid salts include the magnesium, potassium and especially sodium salts of adipic acid, citric acid, glycolic acid, acetic acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, and tartaric acid and polyacrylic acid. Especially preferred salt of an inorganic acids are sodium chloride, sodium sulfate and sodium phosphate. Especially preferred salts of organic protic acid are sodium citrate, sodium lactate, and sodium adipate.

[0115] Additives such as dyes, perfumes, soda ash, sodium chloride or other electrolyte, brighteners, etc. are normally used in an amount 0 to 3%, preferably 0.01 to 2% of the composition. Some examples are set forth below.

[0116] Perfumes; sequestering agents, such as tetrasodium ethylene diaminetetraacetate (EDTA). EHDP or mixtures in an amount of 0.01 to 1%, preferably 0.01 to 0.05%; and coloring agents, opacifiers and pearlizers such as zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, TiCh, EGMS (ethylene glycol monostearate) or Lytron 621. (Styrene / Acrylate copolymer); all of which are useful in enhancing the appearance or cosmetic properties of the product.

[0117] In addition, the bar compositions of the invention may include 0 to 25% by wt., preferably 1 to 25% by wt., more preferably 5 to 2054 by wt. skin protection and benefit agents and / or performance enhancers:

[0118] Another class of optional ingredients are antimicrobials such as but not limited to the following:

[0119] 2 -hydroxy-4, 2' 4’-trichlorodiphenylether (DP300); 2 , 6 - dimethy 1-4 - hydroxychi or obenzene ( PCMX ) ;

[0120] 3,4,4 '-trichlorocarbanilide (TCC);

[0121] 3-trifluoromethyl-4.4'-dichlorocarbanilide (TFC);

[0122] 2,2 '-dihydroxy-3 , 3 5.5 6, 6 '-hexachlorodiphenylmethane ;

[0123] 2,2'-dihydroxy-3,3',5,5,-tetrachlorodiphenylmethane;

[0124] 2,2 '-dihydroxy- 3 , 3 ', dibromo- 5 , 5 '-dichlorodiphenylmethane;

[0125] 2-hydroxy-4, 4 ’-dichlorodiphenylether;

[0126] 2- hydroxy- 3, 5 ',4-tribromodiphenylether; and l-hydroxyl-4-methy]-6-(2,4,4-trimethylpeotyl)-2(lH)-pyridinone (Octopirox).

[0127] Other suitable antimicrobials include:

[0128] Benzalkonium chloride; Benzethonium chloride; Carbolic acid; Cloflucarbon (Irgasan CF3:4,4'-dichloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)carbanilide); Chlorhexidine (CHX: l,6-di(4'-chlorophenyl- diguanido) hexane); Cresylic acid; Hexetidine (5-amino-l,3-bis(2-ethyIhexyl)-5- methylhexahydropyrimidine); Iodophors; Methylbenzethonium chloride; Povidone-iodine; Tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD: Thiram); Tribrominated salicylanilide.

[0129] Additional antimicrobials include tea tree oil, zinc salts, any of the above noted antimicrobials and mixtures thereof.

[0130] The soaps may also comprise preservatives such as dimethyloldimethylhydantoin (Glydant XI J 000), parabens, sorbic acid etc.

[0131] The soaps may also comprise coconut acyl mono- or diethanol amides as suds boosters, and strongly ionizing salts such as sodium chloride and sodium sulfate may also be used to advantage.

[0132] Antioxidants such as, for example, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) may be used advantageously in amounts of about 0.01% or higher if appropriate.

[0133] Cationic polymers as conditioners which may be used include Quatrisoft LM-200 Polyquaternium-24, Merquat Plus 3330 Polyquaternium 39; and Jaguar® type conditioners.

[0134] Another ingredient which may be included are exfoliant particles such as polyoxyethylene beads, walnut shells, apricot seeds, and silica.

[0135] Additional benefitial agents that can be included in the soaps described herein include emollients, moisturizers, anti-aging agents, skin-toning agents, skin lightening agents, sun screens etc.

[0136] ’The preferred li st of benefit agents include:

[0137] (a) silicone oils, gums and modifications thereof such as linear and cyclic polydimethyl siloxanes; amino, alkyl alkylaryl and aryl silicone oils; (b) fats and oils including natural fats and oils such as jojoba, soybean, sunflower seed oil, rice bran, avocado, almond, olive, sesame, persic, castor, coconut, mink oils; cacao fat; beef tallow, lard; hardened oils obtained by hydrogenating the aforementioned oils; and synthetic mono, di and triglycerides such as myristic acid glyceride and 2-ethylhexanoic acid glyceride;

[0138] (c) waxes such as carnauba, spermaceti, beeswax, lanolin and derivatives thereof;

[0139] (d) hydrophobic plant extracts;

[0140] (e) hydrocarbons such as liquid paraffins, petrolatum, vaseline, microcrystalline wax, ceresin, squalene, pristan, paraffin wax and mineral oil;

[0141] (f) higher fatty acids such as behenic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, lanolic, isostearic and poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA); g) higher alcohols such as lauryl, cetyl, stearyl, oleyl, behenyl, cholesterol and 2- hexydecanol alcohol;

[0142] (h) esters such as cetyl octanoate, myristyl lactate, cetyl lactate, isopropyl myristate, myristyl myristate, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl adipate, butyl stearate, decyl oleate, cholesterol isostearate, glycerol monostearate, glycerol distearate, glycerol tristearate, alkyl lactate, alkyl citrate and alkyl tartrate;

[0143] (i) essential oils such as mentha, jasmine, camphor, white cedar, bitter orange peel, ryu, turpentine, cinnamon, bergamot, citrus unshiu, calamus, pine, lavender, bay, clove, hiba, eucalyptus, lemon, starflower, thyme, peppermint, rose, sage, menthol, cineole, eugenol, citral, citronelle, borneol, linalool, geraniol, evening primrose, camphor, thymol, spirantol, penene, limonene and terpenoid oils:

[0144] (j) lipids such as cholesterol, ceramides, sucrose esters and pseudo-ceramides as described in European Patent Specification No. 556,957:

[0145] (k) vitamins such as vitamin A and E, and vitamin alkyl esters, including those vitamin C alkyl esters;

[0146] (l) sunscreens such as octyl methoxyl cinnamate (Parsol MCX) octocrylene(2-ethylhexyl 2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate), octyl salicylate (2 ethylhexyl salicylate), benzophenone-3 (2- hydroxy-4-methoxy benzophenone), and avobenzone (4-tert-butyl-4'- methoxydibenzoylmeihane) (these are merely illustrative);

[0147] (m) phospholipids; and

[0148] (n) mixtures of any of the foregoing components.

[0149] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method generating a soap, comprising contacting a composition comprising an oil from an offshoot of a date palm with a saponifying agent under conditions that generate a soap, thereby generating the soap. Soaps may be made by the classic kettle boiling process or modern continuous soap manufacturing processes wherein natural fats and oils including date palm offshoot oil or their equivalents are saponified with an alkali metal hydroxide using procedures well known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, the soaps may be made by neutralizing fatty acids, such as lauric (C12), myristic (C14), palmitic (C16), or stearic (C18) acids with an alkali metal hydroxide or carbonate,

[0150] In particular the oils used in the soap are melted so that they are used in a liquid state. When a combination of oils are used, the oils may be mixed together prior to addition of the s aponif ying a gen t .

[0151] Solid soaps (e.g. bars) can be prepared using manufacturing techniques described in the literature and known in the art for the manufacture of toilet soap bars. Examples of the types of manufacturing processes available are given in the book Soap Technology for the 1990 k (Edited by Luis Spitz, American Oil Chemist Society Champaign, and Illinois. 1990). These broadly include: melt forming, extrusion / stamping, and extrusion, tempering, and cutting. A preferred process is extrusion and stamping because of its capability to economically produce high quality bars suitable as toilet soaps.

[0152] In order to make the soaps, oils (e.g. at least 20 %, 25 %, 30 % or 35 % of the oil is date palm offshoot oil) is mixed with an alkali aqueous solution (e.g. sodium hydroxide / potassium hydroxide). In one embodiment, no more than 50 %, 60 %, or 70 % of the oil in the starting solution is date palm offshoot oil.

[0153] A contemplated starting solution includes one wherein 20-30 % of the composition comprises date palm offshoot oil, 20-30 % of the composition comprises olive oil, 10-25 % of the composition comprises coconut oil, and about 10 % of the composition comprises butter (e.g. shea butter and / or cacao butter).

[0154] Another starting solution includes one wherein 20-30 % of the composition comprises date palm offshoot oil, 20-30 % of the composition comprises olive oil and 20-30 % of the composition comprises coconut oil.

[0155] Another contemplated starting solution includes one wherein 20-30 % of the composition comprises date palm offshoot oil, 20-30 % of the composition comprises olive oil, 10-25 % of the composition comprises date kernel oil, and about 10 % of the composition comprises butter (e.g. shea butter and / or cacao butter),

[0156] Still another starting solution includes one wherein 20-30 % of the composition comprises date palm offshoot oil, 20-30 % of the composition comprises olive oil and 20-30 % of the composition comprises date kernel oil. As used hereinabove, the term “about” refers to ± 20 %, and in optional embodiments to ± 10 %.

[0157] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “having” and their conjugates mean “including but not limited to”.

[0158] The term “consisting of’ means “including and limited to”.

[0159] The term “consisting essentially of’ means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and / or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and / or parts do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method or structure.

[0160] As used herein, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “a compound” or “at least one compound” may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

[0161] Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

[0162] Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases “ranging / ranges between” a first indicate number and a second indicate number and “ranging / ranges from” a first indicate number “to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals there between.

[0163] As used herein the term “method” refers to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the chemical, pharmacological, biological, biochemical and medical arts.

[0164] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

[0165] Various embodiments and aspects of the present invention as delineated hereinabove and as claimed in the claims section below find experimental support in the following examples.

[0166] EXAMPLES

[0167] Reference is now made to the following examples, which together with the above descriptions illustrate some embodiments of the invention in a non-limiting fashion.

[0168] EXAMPLE 1

[0169] Oil obtained from date tree offshoots by organic solvent extraction or cold press extraction

[0170] Materials and Methods

[0171] Organic solvent extraction:

[0172] To obtain date palm (P. dactylifera') oil from the offshoots sampled, the leaves were peeled off and the offshoot was cut in half to reveal its inner part with a chain saw. For solvent extraction, both the meristematic zone (about 10-30 % of the offshoot total volume) and the connective parenchymatic (about 70-90 % of the offshoot total volume) tissue were sampled separately. 150 grams (fresh weight) of each area was cut out with a knife and crushed manually, then ground very slowly using short pulses of an electric grinder.

[0173] For mixed-polarity extraction, 400 ml of a mixture of dichloromethane and methanol (2:1, v / v) was added to the samples, followed by stirring for 40 minutes. The supernatant was decanted to a clean vial. The obtained extract was dried using a gentle stream of nitrogen, with no heating of the extract.

[0174] Other samples were extracted with a mixture of n-hexane and water (1:1, v / v) added to ground plant tissue and separated to its polar and nonpolar phases using a separation bottle followed by a Buchner filtration apparatus.

[0175] The minimized aliquot of the extracts (about 1 ml each) were transferred to a 2 ml sterile glass vials and 100 pl of a known amount of 1-nonadecanol (Ci9-alcohol) was added to the concentrated extracts in order to serve as an internal standard for yield assessment. The remaining solvent was dried under a gentle stream of nitrogen until complete dryness. Cold press extraction:

[0176] The offshoots of date palm (P. dactylifera') were cut in half with a chain saw to reveal their inner part. The internal growth bud was entirely removed. The plant tissue (approximately 1 kg) was crushed and the (primarily aqueous) juice was squeezed out using a semi-industrial hard fruit juice maker (Hurom). Alternatively, this step was performed using a device comprising a rotating screw-like pole (no heat or prior crushing) and a nozzle diameter of 4 mm. The obtained clear juice was centrifuged at 4000 r.p.m for 12 minutes, and then the supernatant was decanted into a separation funnel. 100 ml of dichloromethane was added and then shaken well, in order to separate the sugars from the oil. After separation, the lower, clear odorless fraction contained purified oil with a light yellow tone, in dichloromethane (which was evaporated completely prior to analysis). The upper fraction, having a clear honey-brown color, contained polysaccharides.

[0177] Analysis of contents:

[0178] Prior to analysis, 100 pl of N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) containing 1 % trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) were added to the samples, followed by heating at 70 °C for 20 minutes, which promoted degradation of triglycerides in the oil to free fatty acids and monoglycerides. Silylation (with trimethyl silyl groups) renders many compounds more volatile, thereby facilitating analysis by gas chromatography. From each sample, 1 pl was injected into a gas chromatograph (GC) with mass selective detector (MS), using a 1:10 split ratio injection mode. Gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (GC / MS) analyses were carried out using an HP 7890 gas chromatograph coupled to an HP 5973 mass spectrometer (electron multiplier potential 2 kV, filament current 0.35 mA, electron energy 70 eV, spectra recorded over the range m / z 40-800). An Agilent™ 7683 autosampler was used for sample introduction. Helium was used as a carrier gas at a constant flow of 1.1 ml / second. An isothermal hold at 50 °C was kept for 2 minutes, followed by a heating gradient of 10 °C per minute to 325 °C, with the final temperature held for 10 minutes. An HP-5ms 5 % cross-linked phenylmethyl siloxane capillary column (30 m, 0.25 mm internal diameter, with a 0.25 pm film thickness) was used for separation and the injection port temperature was 280 °C. The MS interface temperature was 300 °C. Peak assignments were carried out with the aid of library spectra (NIST 1.6) and compared with published data and MS data obtained from the injection of standards obtained from Sigma- Aldrich.

[0179] Results

[0180] Organic solvent extraction:

[0181] An organic solvent extract of different parts of date palm heart was prepared and separated into polar and nonpolar fractions, according to procedures described hereinabove. The contents of the obtained extract and fractions thereof were determined by gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (according to procedures described hereinabove), as summarized in Table 1 below. 7 ml of dry oil was obtained from 150 grams meristematic tissue, which represents a yield of almost 50 ml per kg of raw material. As shown in Table 1 below, the polar phase of the extract obtained from date palm mostly comprised amino acids (such as alanine, valine, proline, isoleucine, N-methyl-leucine, aspartic acid and asparagine), monosaccharides (such as galactose, arabinose, myo-inositol and mannose), and some minute amounts of components such as acid derivatives of monosaccharides (such as L-manno-heptonic acid, glucuronic acid and mannoic acid; not shown).

[0182] The oil extracted from the meristematic zone was composed almost exclusively of palmitic acid (Ci6:o).

[0183] As further shown in Table 1, the extract obtained from the connective parenchymatic tissue comprised mainly monosaccharides (such as fructose, galactose, arabinose, xylose, glucose and mannose) and their acid derivatives (such as arabinoic acid), along with disaccharides (such as sucrose and trehalose).

[0184] Table 1: Chemical profile of various fractions extracted from meristematic and parenchymatic regions of date palm heart tissues * Inhibits blood platelets aggregation [El Khalabi et al., J Prep Biochem Biotechnol 2000, 30:295-304; Panda, H. Handbook on Herbal Drugs and its Plant Sources'. National Institute of Industrial Research, Delhi, India, 2002; p 512]

[0185] ** Food additive (e.g., acidity regulator) *** Promotes tissue generation and muscle growth [De Santo et al., PNAS 2005, 102:4185-

[0186] 4190], arginase inhibitor [Porporatto et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2003, 304:266-272] **** Exhibits anti-inflammatory, antifungal and analgesic activity [Cheng et al., J Agric Food Chem 2005, 53:614-619; Karioti et al., J Agric Food Chem 2004, 52:8094-8098]

[0187] Cold press extraction: In an alternative process, an oil was obtained from the growth points of date palm by cold pressing, according to procedures described hereinabove (as opposed to solvent extraction described hereinabove). 600 ml of oil was obtained per 1 kg plant material using this technique. The contents of the obtained oil were determined by gas chromato graphy / mass spectrometry (according to procedures described hereinabove), as summarized in Tables 2 and 3 below.

[0188] Table 2: Composition of cold-pressed oil obtained from date palm (as determined after derivatization with BSTFA (N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)fluoroacetamide) containing 1 % of trimethylchlorosilane)

[0189] As shown in Table 2, the oil obtained by cold pressing was rich in sterols (primarily P- sitosterol); and a significant amount (3 %) of dihydrouracil (an antiviral compound) was also present. Table 3: Fatty acid profile of cold-pressed oil obtained from date palm

[0190] As shown in Tables 2 and 3, the fatty acids of the oil obtained by cold pressing primarily composed of palmitic acid and linolelaidic acid (an omega-6 trans-fatty acid). As further shown therein, the fatty acids included little or no oleic acid (Ci8:i), myristic acid (Ci4:o) or lauric acid (C12:0).

[0191] It is notable that oleic acid is an abundant component of a wide variety of vegetable oils, whereas lauric and myristic acid are characteristic of various oils obtained from the fruit of palm trees, as summarized in Table 4. As further shown in Table 4, the oil obtained by cold pressing was considerably different from the oil obtained by organic solvent extraction.

[0192] Table 4: Comparison of fatty acid profile of palm tree oil prepared as described herein with other oils obtained from palm species

[0193] [Morphological, Biochemical and Genetic Characterization of Landrace Olive Trees in Israel, PhD Thesis, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 2015]

[0194] ** Pearson, D. [Chemical Analysis of Foods, 7th Ed. London: Churchill, Livingstone, 1976]

[0195] *** Internal analysis (data not shown) of coconut oil (obtained from Ness Oils Ltd).

[0196] These results indicate that oil can be obtained from date palm (non-fruit) tissue by cold pressing, and separated from aqueous content, in a manner similar to preparation of olive oil. The oil is characterized by a high concentration of sterols and by an unusual free fatty acid profile, particularly the presence of considerable amounts of the uncommon linolelaidic acid, and also contains significant amounts of dihydrouracil, a potentially valuable compound. Furthermore, a polysaccharide fraction is also obtained.

[0197] The obtained yield of 600 ml per kg plant material suggests that a date palm may provide an annual yield of close to 4 liters per tree (comparable to olive trees), considering that an offshoot may provide about 1.5-2 kg of raw material, and each tree may grow up to 4 offshoots per year on average. EXAMPLE 2

[0198] Oil obtained from date kernels by cold press extraction

[0199] Date kernels, a waste product of the date tree industry, were washed under tap water for 10 seconds and then dried for 12 hours. The kernels were then subjected to cold pressing as follows: the date kernels were subjected to pressing using a commercial cold press mill with a rotating screw-like pole which was constantly heated by hot air blower directed towards the pole, and a nozzle diameter of 7 mm. The yield of oil was about 100-250 pl oil per gram of date kernels.

[0200] The composition of the obtained oil was determined using gas chromatography / mass spectrometry, using procedures similar to those described in Example 1. 10 pl oil was added to 90 pl BSTFA with 1 % TMCS, and the resulting silylated samples were analyzed by gas chromatography / mass spectrometry. The contents of the obtained oil are summarized in Tables 5 and 6 below. Table 5: Composition of cold-pressed date kernel oil (as determined after derivatization with ethylsilyl)fhioroacetamide) containing 1 % of TMC (trimethylchlorosilane)

[0201] Table 6: Fatty acid profile of cold-pressed oil obtained from date kernels

[0202] These results indicate that oil can be obtained from date kernels by cold pressing, and that the yield obtainable by cold pressing (about 10-25 %) compares favorably with those reported in the art for extraction utilizing organic solvents and / or more costly techniques [Mrabet et al., Foods 2020, 9:787].

[0203] These results further show that cold-pressed oil obtained from date kernels (generally a waste product) can serve as a source of relatively short fatty acids, such as lauric acid and / or myristic acid; e.g., as an alternative to more environmentally problematic (due to their tropical habitat) oil palm kernel oil and coconut oil.

[0204] These results further indicate that cold-pressed oil obtained from date kernels can serve as a complementary oil to the oil obtained from date offshoots (e.g., as described in Example 1 hereinabove), by including a different composition of free fatty acids, and that such a combined oil, which includes a desirable composition of fatty components, represents an alternative to currently available oil compositions that are produced, for example, from oil palm fruit (a source of palmitic acid), oil palm kernel and / or coconut (sources of shorter fatty acids) and combinations thereof. EXAMPLE 3

[0205] Soap formulations made from oil from a non-fruit tissue of a date palm offshoot

[0206] The following formulations were used to prepare soap.

[0207] Formulation 1:

[0208] Formulation 2:

[0209] Formulation 3:

[0210] Formulation 4:

[0211] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

[0212] It is the intent of the applicant(s) that all publications, patents and patent applications referred to in this specification are to be incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually noted when referenced that it is to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting. In addition, any priority document(s) of this application is / are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its / their entirety.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A soap comprising 10-40 % by weight (wt.) saponified products of an oil extracted from date palm offshoot.

2. The soap of claim 1, further comprising saponified products of an additional plant oil, with the proviso that said additional plant oil is not palm oil derived from the fruit of a palm tree.

3. The soap of claim 2, wherein at least 20 % of the weight of all the oil in the soap is said oil of said date palm offshoot.

4. The soap of claim 2, wherein said plant oil is selected from the group consisting of coconut oil, date kernel oil, olive oil, canola oil and sunflower oil.

5. The soap of claim 2, being devoid of saponified products of date kernel oil.

6. The soap of any one of claims 2-5, being devoid of coconut oil.

7. The soap of any one of claims 1-5, comprising saponified products of plant oils, said plant oils consisting of oil extracted from date palm offshoot, olive oil and coconut oil.

8. The soap of any one of claims 1-5, comprising saponified products of plant oils, said plant oils consisting of oil extracted from date palm offshoot, olive oil and date kernel oil.

9. The soap of any one of claims 1-8, further comprising saponified products of a plant-based butter.

10. The soap of claim 9, wherein said plant-based butter is shea butter and / or cacao butter.

11. The soap of any one of claims 1-10, being devoid of animal products.

12. The soap of any one of claims 1-11, comprising 0.5 to 3.5% by wt. a salt of a protic acid.

13. The soap of claim 12, wherein said salt of said protic acid is selected from the group consisting of sodium salts or potassium salts of hydrochloric acid, adipic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid and mixtures thereof.

14. The soap of claims 12 or 13, wherein said salt of said protic acid comprises sodium lactate.

15. The soap of any one of claims 1-14, further comprising a skin-beneficial agent selected from the group consisting of moisturizing agent, a vitamin, a mineral, a clay and an antimicrobial agent.

16. The soap of claim 15, wherein the soap comprises 0.1-10 % weight of said skin- beneficial agent.

17. The soap of any one of claims 1-16, further comprising a fragrance.

18. The soap of any one of claims 1-17, being a solid bar.

19. The soap of any one of claims 1-17, being a liquid soap.

20. The soap of any one of claims 1-19, being translucent.

21. The soap of any one of claims 1-20, being a spray, a butter or a cream.

22. A method of generating the soap of claim 1, comprising contacting a composition comprising oil extracted from date palm offshoot with a saponifying agent under conditions that generate a soap, thereby generating the soap of claim 1.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said composition further comprises at least one additional plant oil which is not derived from the fruit of a date palm tree, wherein at least 20 % of the weight of all the oil in the composition is said oil extracted from date palm offshoot.

24. The method of any one of claims 22-23, wherein said composition is devoid of animal derived oils.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein said saponifying agent is sodium hydroxide.

26. The method of claims 22 or 25, wherein said at least one additional plant oil is selected from the group consisting of coconut oil, date kernel oil, olive oil, canola oil and sunflower oil.

27. The method of any one of claims 22-26, wherein said at least one additional plant oil comprises olive oil and date kernel oil.

28. The method of any one of claims 22-26, wherein said at least one additional plant oil comprises olive oil and coconut oil.

29. The method of any one of claims 22-28, further comprising extracting the oil from said date palm offshoot.

30. A soap obtainable according to the method of any one of claims 22-28.

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