Ecological properties of alkylglucosides

The good application properties of the alkylpolyglucosides and the development of economical and efficient production processes have promoted an increasing usage of these surfactants. From the study of two ecological properties, biodegradability and toxicity, the environmental compatibility of these surfactants have been evaluated. Different alkylglucosides have been studied: pure n-alkylglucosides (C8---C12) and commercial alkylgtutxeides oligomeric mixtures. Total biodegradation was studied on both Ready Biodegradability tests and Simulation tests. Toxicity tests were carried out on both Daphnia magna and luminiscent bacteria (Photobacteriram phasphoreum). Results obtained in the study on the ecological properties of alkylpolyglucosides allow to conclude the environmental acceptability of this new class of nonionic surfactants.