KEYWORDS: Alkylpolyglucoside, APG, enzymatic synthesis, wetting, dispersion, polymeric headgroup.
ABSTRACT: Conventional large-scale production of alkylglycosides (“alkylpolyglucosides”, or APGs) yields surfactants comprising headgroups with low average degree of polymerisation (Dp≤2). The term “alkylpolyglucoside” is therefore, strictly speaking, a misnomer as far as conventional technology goes. In stark contrast, ethoxylated (PEG-based) non-ionic surfactants can be produced on industrial scale with virtually any length of alkyl chain and headgroup.
Enza Biotech AB has recently shown that enzymatic technology allows for facile production of alkylglycosides with long headgroups (Dp>>2) and long alkyl chains (≥16). The present paper summarises some of the physicochemical properties of these novel surfactants. The focus of the paper is on hexadecyloctaglucoside (C16G8), which is shown to have new and unique properties of direct relevance for formulation of cosmetics and personal care products, particularly as regards wetting and dispersion of hy ...
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