MUCILAGE wastes are industrial by-products which are rich in …… oils. The extracted oils were characterized via spectrophotometric measurements (e.g. IR, 1HNMR) and utilized in the preparation of some surface active agents. Two anionic surfactants were prepared via sulfatation by concentrated sulfuric acid and sulfonation by dry sulfur trioxide from sunflower and cotton seed oils. Yields of the prepared surfactants were 70% and 71%, respectively.
The microanalysis data of (C, H, S) were estimated. In addition, the hydrophilic
_ lipophilic balance (HLB), surface tension, interfacial tension, wetting and foaming power and biodegradability for the prepared surfactants were evaluated.
The importance of these anionic surfactants are due to their environmental friendly nature and relatively safe application to human in addition to their economical feasibility.
Biodegradation is also an important parameter which was taken into consideration. The prepared surfactants showed more than 95% degradation after 21 days that can be considered a great success for environment.