Grantee Research Project Results

2014 Progress Report: ‘Greener’ Surfactants from Bio-Based Waste as Efficient Alternatives to Nonylphenols Ethoxylates

EPA Grant Number: SU835549
Title: ‘Greener’ Surfactants from Bio-Based Waste as Efficient Alternatives to Nonylphenols Ethoxylates
Investigators: Nagarajan, Ramaswamy , Bavishi, Vishal , Chittigori, Joshna , Magaletta, Michael , Mohd Aris, Zarif Farhana
Institution: University of Massachusetts - Lowell
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Phase: II
Project Period: August 15, 2013 through August 14, 2015
Project Period Covered by this Report: August 15, 2013 through August 14,2014
Project Amount: $90,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet - Phase 2 (2013) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Chemical Safety , Sustainable and Healthy Communities

Objective:

Synthesize surfactant derivatives with improved properties for ensuring better cleaning efficiency towards hydrophobic dirt/soil, increased water solubility and improved stability in hard water
Assess the effect of molecular weight of polysaccharides on surface active properties
Scale-up the synthesis of the bio-based surfactants using a more efficient microwave assisted synthetic route.
Understand the underlying mechanism of organization, aggregation and cleaning action of these novel polysaccharide surfactants
Demonstrate commercial viability in a product formulation such as laundry detergent
Perform dermal toxicity, biodegradability and life cycle assessment of these bio-based surfactants to ensure safety, biodegradability and sustainability in the long run

Progress Summary:

Summary of Findings:

Non-ionic polysaccharide-based surfactants were synthesized by the pegylation of polygalacturonic acid.
Pegylation significantly enhances water solubility and improves stability in hard water.
Hydrophobic modification of pectin was carried out by amidation using alkyl amines with different chain lengths. Hydrophobic modification improved wetting ability (towards lipophilic dirt) and foaming ability.
Structural characterization was carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonances spectroscopy (NMR).
Polysaccharide based surfactantsexhibited lower foaming properties in comparison with commercial surfactants NPEs and SLS.
Functionalization of pectin did not improve the emulsification
Reduction in molecular weight of starting material had a dramatic effect on interfacial tension (water/oil interface)
Particulate dirt removal efficiency of the polysaccharide-based surfactant was lower than that of commercial surfactants, NPE and SLS. However the stain removal efficiency was comparable
Preliminary cytotoxicity studies using MTS assay suggest that polysaccharide-based surfactants are clearly less toxic as compared to commercial surfactants NPEs and SLS, even relatively high concentrations

Work in Progress:

Molecular weight characterization using size exclusion methods of depolymerized starting materials will be carried out to determine the optimal molecular weight having the best surfactant properties.
Overall sustainability and long-term viability of these bio-surfactants will be ascertained by carrying out Life Cycle Analysis (LCA).
Human and ecological safety of these newly developed surfactants will be determined by performing dermal toxicity and biodegradability test.
Further evaluate cleaning efficiency in varying conditions such as surfactant concentration, temperature, and water-hardness as well as explore other potential applications.

Future Activities:

Polysaccharide-based surfactants derived from pectin were successfully synthesized and characterized. These novel surfactants were explored as safer alternative to commercially available surfactants such as NPEand SLS. The newly developed surfactants showed improved wetting ability, foaming ability and cleaning efficiency to hydrophobic dirt as compared to PGA-SO₃(hydrophilically modified pectic acid). The modified pectin showed good detergency and exhibited cleaning efficiency comparable to commercial surfactants. Lowering molecular weight of the starting material dramatically improved interfacial tension of the polysaccharide based surfactants. Cytotoxicity of these surfactants was also evaluated. Pectin based surfactants were clearly less toxic as compared to NPE and SLS. There are opportunities for further improving the extent of functionalization of pectin to enhance surface activity. This work has demonstrated a methodology for converting polysaccharides into efficient bio-based surfactants by hydrophilic and hydrophobic modification.

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 7 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

Bio-derived, soaps, detergents, renewable feedstock

Relevant Websites:

Ram Research Group - UML Exit

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

Final Report

P3 Phase I:

‘Greener’ Surfactants from Bio-based Waste as Efficient Alternatives to Nonylphenol Ethoxylates | Final Report

Top of Page

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.