ALTERNATIVE SURFACTANTS FOR LAS IN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS

Due to performances, the linear alkylbenzensulphonates (LAS) is the most used anionic surfactant in detergent compositions. Being petroleum derived, its cost is continually increasing. In addition the environment legislation recommends its replacing with biodegradable surfactants obtained from renewable resources as alkylsulphates, alkylethersulphates, alcohol ethoxylates and soap. The effect of three types of anionic surfactants (alkylethersulphate, AES, secondary alkanesulphate, SAS and sulphatated fatty alcohol, AGS) in the absence and presence of a new protease (Liquanase, Lq) on removal of different types of soils at low temperature (40 degrees C) was studied and the washing results were compared with those obtained with LAS. Physically adsorbed soils are removed in the same measure by all the surfactant solutions both in the absence and presence of enzyme, while the chemically bound and combined soils are much better removed by AGS solution. Addition of enzyme increases the removal of specific stains (2 times) front cotton substrate, excepting LAS Solution for which the increasing is only about 1.5.