SURFACTANTS

Karishma Dhuri, Siddhesh Juvekar, Sukanya Das,

Shruti Mane, Vinita Basantani, Bhagyeshri
Gurav, Priyanka Chakote, Srinivas, Kashmira
Kathe

INTRODUCTION
Surface-active agents /surfactants molecules
which are active at interfaces and possess both
polar (hydrophilic) and non-polar (hydrophobic)
characteristics in the same molecule.
Surfactantslowerthesurfacetension(orinterfacial
tension)betweentwoliquidsorbetweenaliquidanda
solid.

When surfactants are dissolved in water

they orientate at the surface so that the
hydrophobic regions are removed from the
aqueous environment.

Hydrophobic group consist of alkyl chain (long,

short, branched).
Hydrophilic group consist of alcoholic, quaternary
ammonium ,carboxylic.

CLASSIFICATION

Based on
chemical
structure

Anionic

Cationic

Non ionic

Amphoteric

Hydrophilic group
of molecule
carries ve charge

Hydrophilic group
of molecule
carries +ve charge

No charge on
hydrophilic
group

Molecule contains
both +ve and
ve charge

Eg:- sodium lauryl

sulphate,
potassium laurate

Eg:- cetrimide,
Benzalkonium
chloride

Eg:- polysorbates,
Sorbiton esters

Eg:- sulphobetaines,
N-Dodecyl-N,Ndimethyl
betaine

Everysurfactantformsmicellestoexhibititsaction
whenitisinthebulkofsolution
Amicelleisanaggregateofsurfactantmolecules
dispersedinaliquid.
Oncethemicellesareformed,thesurfactantscanthen
actasdetergents,wettingagents,solublizers,suspending
agentsetc.
Asweknowthesurfactantsareamphiphilic,twotypes
ofmicellesaregenerallyobserved

NORMAL
MICELLES

INVERSE
MIICELLES
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Micelles only form when the concentration of

surfactant is greater than the critical micelle
concentration (CMC), the temperature of the system is
greater than the critical micelle temperature, or Kraft
temperature.
Kraft temperature: (Kraft Point)
Temperature above which, certain surfactants show a
marked increase in solubilizing power.
In a micelle, the hydrophobic tails flock to the interior
in order to minimize their contact with water, and the
hydrophilic heads remain on the outer surface in order
to maximize their contact with water .

MECHANISM OF ACTION

Surfactants can work in three different ways:

(a) Roll-up mechanism: The surfactant lowers the

fabric/solution interfacial tensions and in this way lifts the
stain of the fabric.

(b) Emulsification: The surfactant lowers the oil solution

interfacial tension and makes easy emulsification of the oil.

(c) Solubilization: Through interaction with the micelles of

a surfactant in a solvent (water), a substance
spontaneously dissolves to form a stable and clear solution

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ROLL UP MECHANISM

The surfactant
lowers the
oil/solution and
fabric/solution
interfacial tensions
and in this way lifts
the stain of the
fabric.

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Emulsification

The surfactant
lowers the oilsolution interfacial
tension and makes
easy emulsification
of the oily soils
possible.

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SOLUBILIZATION

Through interaction with the micelles of a

surfactant in a solvent (water), a substance
spontaneously dissolves to form a stable
and clear solution.

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HYDROPHILIC-LIPOPHILIC BALANCE

Griffin describedHydrophilic-lipophilicbalancescale
forsurfactant
It is the measure of the degree to which a
surfactant ishydrophilcorlipophilic.
The HLB system is particularly useful to identify
surfactants for oil and water emulsification.
Itisanarbitraryscalefrom0to20depictingthe
Hydrophilic/Lipophilicbalanceofasurfactant.

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1.

ANIONIC SURFACTANTS

1.SODIUM LAURYL SULPHATE (SLS)

Chemical formula

NaC12H25SO4

Molar mass

288.372 g/mol

Appearance

white or creamcolored solid

Odor

odorless

Density

1.01 g/cm3

Melting point

206C (403F;
479K)

Refractive Index

1.461

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Sensitivity
It has been shown to irritatethe skin of the face,
with prolonged and constant exposure. In animal
studies SLS appears to cause skin and eye
irritation
Interaction with fluoride
SLS in toothpaste may decrease the
effectiveness offluorideat preventingdental
caries(cavities).
Taste alteration
Sodium lauryl sulfate temporarily diminishes
perception of sweetness

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APPLICATIONS
SLS is a highly effectivesurfactantand is used in
any task requiring the removal of oily stains and
residues.
It can be used to aid inlysingcellsduringDNA
extractionand for unraveling proteins inSDSPAGE
Pharmaceutically as pre-operative skin cleaner
having bacteriostatic action
Component of emulsifying wax.

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2. DOCUSATE SODIUM
Brandnames- Aqualax, Calube, Colace, Colace
Micro-Enema, Correctol Softgel Extra Gentle
Interactions- Docusate should not be used in
addition to mineral oil as the emulsifier will
result in mineral oil being absorbed rather than
functioning as a lubricant for the bowel walls,
possibly resulting inforeign body granulomas
Applications- It is used as anexcipientin the
production oftablets(as alubricant) and
suspensions(as an emulsifier).

Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate is used as a

surfactantin a wide range of applications, often
under the name Aerosol-OT

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ANIONIC

BRAND NAME

Alkyl ether phosphates

EMPIPHOS DF
Hunstsman
series
International, Noida,
DEHSCOFIX 904,
Uttar Pradesh, India
905
SURFONIC PE
series
ALKANATE P series

Alkyl ether surfactant,

ethoxylated ROH
sulfonate

Avanel S 150 CGN

Avensa Chemicals,
Gurgaon

Alkyl ether surfactant

Avanel S 74

Avensa Chemicals,
Gurgaon

SURFACTANT

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CATIONIC SURFACTANTS
1.CETRIMIDE

APPLICATION: Antimicrobial

preservative in eye drop -0.005%

w/v
Antisepetic in skin burns and wounds-0.1-1%
Used as shampoo to remove scale in seborrhea-1-3%w/w
Used as cleanser and disinfectant for hard contact lenses
Ingredients of cetrimide emulsifying wax and o/w cream
eg. Cetrimide cream

INCOMPATIBILITY:- anionic surfactant , citrate, non ionic

surfatants in high concentration

TOXICITY:- ingested orally cause nausea , vomitting , muscle

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paralysis

BRAND NAME :- cetrimide powder

2.BENZYLKONIUM CHLORIDE

APPLICATION:- Antimicrobial preservative in

ophthalmic 0.01-0.02%w/v
Nasal 0.002-0.02%
Parentral 0.01%
INCOMPATIBILITY:- anionic surfactant,
citrate, non ionic surfactant in high conc.
TOXICITY:- ototoxicity-applied to ear
skin- hypersensitivity on prolonged contact
bronchocontriction- in asthamatic in nebulizer
solution

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CATIONIC

BRAND NAME

COMPANY

Alkyl
dimethylamines
and alkyl
amidopropylamin
es

EMPIGEN A series

Remfry & Sagar

Attorney Address
Millenium Plaza,
Sector 27, Gurgaon
122002.

SURFACTANTS

Quaternised
ALGENE WF
amine ethoxylates

Hunstsman
International, Noida,
Uttar Pradesh, India

Quaternary
ammonium
compounds

Remfry & Sagar

Attorney Address
Millenium Plaza,
Sector 27, Gurgaon
122002.

ALGENE series
EMPIGEN BAC series
EMPIGEN BCC series
EMPIGEN BCM series
EMPIGEN CM series
EMPIGEN HBC series

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1.

NON-IONIC SURFACTANTS

POLYOXYETHYLENE ALKYL ETHERS

Category: Emulsifying agent, penetration enhancer,

solubilizing agent and wetting agent
Incompatibilities :Presence of strong electrolyte can
adversely affect the physical stability of emulsion
containing it.
Discolouration or precipitation with iodides, mercury salts,
phenolic substances, salicylates, sulfonamides.
Incompatible with drugs like benzocaine and oxidizable
drugs
Antimicrobial efficiency of some phenolic preservative is
reduced due to hydrogen bonding
Irritation observed at more than 20% concentration
Brands: Cetomacrogol 1000,Cresmer 1000; 25, Volpo
CS25, Procol CA-2, Lipocol C-10, Brij 700

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2.SORBITAN FATTY ACID ESTERS

Category: Dispersing agent, emulsifying agent (110%) , nonionic surfactant, solubilizing agent,
suspending agent,wetting agent (0.1-3%)
Gradual soap formation seen with strong acid or
base
No known incompatibilities and only occasional
hypersensitivity cases have been reported.
Daily intake 25mg/kg
Brands: Tego SML, Dehymuls SMO, Lamesorb
SMS, Protachem STS

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NONIONIC

BRAND NAME

Alkyl
polysaccharides

ALKADET series
ECOTERIC series

Alkylamine
ethoxylates

DEHSCOFIX 947
Hunstsman International,
DEHSCOFIX 990
Noida, Uttar Pradesh,
EMPILAN A series India
SURFONIC T series
TERIC 16M series

Amine oxides

EMPIGEN O series
OXAMIN series

SURFACTANTS

Alcohol Ethoxylate Lutensol XP 70

Zauba Technologies & Data

Services Private Limited
No 1/10, II Floor
Near Gate No 9
APMC Yard,
Yeshwanthpur
Bangalore - 560 022

Hunstsman International,
Noida, Uttar Pradesh,
India
Ramanand Kidarnath
International, Karnataka.

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GENERAL APPLICATIONS

Surfactants in suppository bases

Many of these bases can be used for for both water
Eg) soluble and oil soluble drugs. polyoxyethylene
sorbitan fatty acid esters (tween), polyoxyethylene
stearates, and the sorbitan fatty acid esters (Span).
Pharmaceutical adjuvants
They are added to the drugs as
1.
Foaming agents- eg. Shampoos and Lather Shaving
Cream to stabilize the foam.
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Emulsifying agents
When oil is added in water
containing surfactant, the
oil is surrounded by
surfactant

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WETTING AGENTS

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DETERGENTS

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Surfactants for contact lens cleaning

Surfactants act as cleansers, which emulsify

accumulated oils, lipids and inorganic compounds
over contact lenses.

Surfactant agents are utilized either with in a

mechanical washing device or by placing several
drops of the solution on the lens surface and gently
rubbing the lens back and forth.

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REFERENCES

Hand book of excipients

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THANK YOU

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