Surface Activity of Natural Surfactants Extracted from Sapindus mukorossi and Sapindus trifoliatus Soapnuts

Patrycja Wojtoń,Reinhard Miller,Lucyna Hołysz,Magdalena Szaniawska,Aleksandra Szcześ

doi:10.3390/colloids5010007

Abstract

Surfactants derived from renewable sources such as plants are an ecological alternative to synthetic surfactants. Aqueous solutions of natural surfactants extracted from soapnuts obtained from two plants, Sapindus mukorossi and Sapindus trifoliatus, were studied. Their properties in terms of surface tension reduction and wettability were examinated. The natural surfactants show the ability to reduce the surface tension and increase the wettability of the hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene surface. These nuts can be used repeatedly for washing also in hard water. Crude extracts from Sp. trifoliatus exhibit better surface properties than those from Sp. mukorossi. This makes these soapnuts a good potential source of biosurfactants for household use.

Highlights

Surfactants Extracted from SapindusSynthetic surfactants are used in large amounts in a wide range of applications in industry and households
In this study we investigated the surface activity and wettability of surface active
In this study we investigated the surface activity and of surface active were used as obtained via a mild extraction in water without subsequent separation components extracted from the soapnuts Sp. mukorossi and Sp. trifoliatus

Summary

Introduction

Synthetic surfactants are used in large amounts in a wide range of applications in industry and households. In 2019 the size of the global surfactants market was 41.3 billion. USD and it is projected to reach 58.5 billion USD by 2027, reaching a Compound Annual. In 2006 the worldwide production of surfactants was about 12.5 million tons [2]. The properties of low price and easy availability are the features of synthetic surfactants that make them extensively used as detergents in households. Surface active compounds are emitted to waters, the atmosphere and soil, and can accumulate in living organisms [3]. It was shown that around 60% of all produced surfactants end up in the aquatic environment [4]

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