[mttal24]

We have been given to make a shampoo in the laboratory. We have searched the internet/library for different recipes. But most of them(even the simple ones) require lecithin/animal fat to be used. Is there any alternative to lecithin for the saponification reaction?

[Archer]

You can use lipase, you will need to mix with water and heat to 37° with efficient stirring.

 http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/sigma/l3126?lang=en&region=GB

This will hydrolyse the fat, not saponify, so you will need to convert the free fatty acids to the appropriate salt when the reaction is complete.

[mttal24]

Thanks Archer!
But it has all become messed up! Most of the fats are not available in small quant at the nearby store(here in India). Can you give me a simple(but a little project-esque) recipe where i need simple ingredients to make the shampoo in the lab?

[billnotgatez]

Have you thought of using vegetable oil and making liquid soap
Lots of recipes on the net for that

by the way Shampoo is a word that has multiple possibilities
see WIKI
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shampoo