Fundamental study of biochemical behavior of anionic sulfonate‐ and sulfate‐type surfactants

Abstract

AbstractThe interactions of α‐olefin sulfonate with proteins were studied and a few environmental and hygienic phenomena investigated on the basis of these interactions. It was found that α‐olefin sulfonate formed a complex with proteins mainly through ionic bonds similar to those formed by linear alkylate sulfonate and alkyl sulfate and that the α‐olefin sulfonate‐protein complex had much in common with these surfactant‐protein complexes. The data on surfactant adsorption indicate that the effects of sulfonate‐type surfactants are due to the formation of complexes with the protein of the skin, hog bristles, and human hair. Adsorption of surfactant occurred in the gills of fish; the adsorption increased with time. When protein was added, the surfactant solution was less biologically effective to fish. The data suggest that adsorption of the surfacntant disturbs the functions of fish gills. Increase in erythrocyte count, which always is found in oxygen‐deficient conditions, occurred in fish killed by exposure to the surfactant.