Journal of Product Analysis

Identification of Surfactant in Detergent by using

Spectrophotometry
Eny khairunnisa, Gina Restiara, Randhy Dwi Rendrahadi.

Chemical Analysis of Bani Saleh Vocational School

Jl. R. A. Kartini No.66 Bekasi 17113

ABSTRACT
The use of surfactants aims to improve emulsion stability by lowering the
surface tension, lowering the interfacial tension between the oil phase and water
phase. Surfactant waste water including pulutan substance there called ABS
(alkyl benzene sulfonate) which is a group with a high concentration of detergent
that can pollute the environment. This test method is used for determination of
anionic surfactants in water and waste water and methylene blue was measured
using a spectrophotometer with a concentration range of 0.025 mg / L to 2.0
mg / L at a wavelength of 652 nm. Solutions anionic surfactant ions react with
methylene blue-blue pair in an organic solvent. The intensity of the blue color
formed was measured with a spectrophotometer with a wavelength of 652 nm.
Uptake was measured levels of anionic surfactant equivalent. To perform the test
using a surfactant concentration of methylene blue using a spectrophotometer.
Keywords: ABS (alkyl benzene sulfonate), methylene blue, spektropotometer,
anionic surfactants.

INTRODUCTION
Detergent is a combination of various
compounds in which the main
components of the composite is a
surface active agent or surfactant
[1]. detergent surfactant is most
often used is LAS or Linear
Alkilbenzen Sulfonate [1]. LAS is an
alkyl aryl sulfonate having a straight
chain structure without branches,
and benzene sulfonate ring [1]. LAS
is Aliklbenzen sulfonic conversion or
ABS, where LAS more easily
degraded in water and detergent
'soft' [1]. Waste detergent one of the

pollutants that could endanger the

life [1]. Surfactants including
substance called ABS (alkyl benzene
sulfonate) which is a group of
detergents with high concentrations
that can pollute the environment.
Methods for determining or analyzing
the contents of anionic surfactants or
detergents in some samples of waste
water can be used UV-Vis
spectrophotometry now.
Concentrations are legible is anionic
surfactant concentration in
wastewater samples bonded with
methylene blue. The detection limit
of anionic surfactants using

methylene blue reagent pengomplek

of 0.026 mg / L, with an average
percent recovery of 92.3%. Some
compounds such as sulfate,
sulfonate ,, phosphate, phenol, and
organic substances such as
thiocyanate, chloride, nitrate form a
complex bond with methylene blue
and provide a positive analytical
errors (raise levels LAS) .Sedangkan
organic substances amines give a
negative analytical errors (lower
levels of LAS ) [2]. pentukan level of
anionic surfactant (detergent) with
UV-Vis spectrophotometry method.
The surfactant agent serves to lower
the surface tension of water so as to
remove dirt on the surface of the
material, but the surfactant may
generate wastewater that can
damage the aquatic environment.
Surfactant waste water including
pulutan substance there called ABS
(alkyl benzene sulfonate) which is a
group with a high concentration of
detergent that can pollute the
environment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Material calibration curve and
Assay Test Procedure
Surfactants
Methylene blue solution, Chloroform,
Wash solution, surfactant, detergent,
water Flute, methylene blue solution
[1]. Dissolve 0,05g methylene blue
then add 50g NaH2(PO4)2 [1]. H2O
into 1000 mL volumetric flask and
add 6.8 ml of sulfuric acid (pa),
adapted to the calibration mark [1].
Wash Solution: Dissolve 50 g of
sodium dihydrogen phosphate /
NaH2 (PO 4) 2 [1]. H2O into 1000 mL
volumetric flask, dilute sulfuric acid

(pa), distilled water is added to the

calibration line [1]. Chloroform:
detergent mother liquor is 1000 mg /
L ASL, ASL Dissolve 0.5 g of 100%
active or sodium lauryl sulfate
(C12H25OSO3Na) in a 500 mL
volumetric
flask,
match
the
calibration line, stored in the
refrigerator to avoid biodegradation,
if it needs to be done a week once
[1]. For tools used in the analysis
using the U-2010 Spectrophotometer
is
Spectrophotometer,
100
mL
volumetric flask, funnel, pipette
volume 25 mL and 50 mL, 250 mL
glass
Beaker,
Filler
pipette,
measuring cup 50 mL, 100 mL
Erlenmeyer flask, funnel , glass fiber,
100 ml Erlenmeyer flask, and
Cuvette. [1]

Methods
Anionic surfactants react with
methylene blue blue form ion pairs
are soluble in organic solvents [4].
The intensity of the blue color
formed was measured with a
spectrophotometer at a wavelength
of 652 nm [4]. Measurable uptake
equivalent to the anionic surfactant
levels [4]. Determination of
detergent in a waste water can be
tested with MBAs using Uv-Vis
spectrophotometry method [1].
principle of this method is an anionic
surfactant will bind with methylene
blue to form a blue complex
compounds soluble in chloroform
phase when extracted and read the
concentration using UV-VIS
spectrophotometer at a wavelength
of 675 nm [1]. Methylene Blue
(Methylene Blue) is a thiazine dyes

are often used as a bactericide and

fungsida at the aquarium reacting /
adding methylene blue substance
that will bind to the surfactant to
produce salt in blue [2].
Concentrations are legible is anionic
surfactant concentration in
wastewater samples bonded with
methylene blue [2]. The detection
limit of anionic surfactants using
methylene blue reagent pengomplek
of 0.026 mg / L, with an average
percent recovery of 92.3% [2]. Some
compounds sepertisulfat, sulfonate,
phosphate, phenol, and organic
substances such as thiocyanate,
chloride, nitrate form complexes with
methylene blue ties and provide a
positive analytical errors (raise levels
LAS) [2] .Sedangkan organic
substances amines give a negative
analytical errors (lower levels of LAS)
[2]

Procedure
Procedures
Curve

Making

Calibration

The mother liquor detergent is

taken as 0,250g, 500g, 750g and
1000 ml and put in a 500 mL
volumetric flask, add distilled water
to the calibration mark, then stirred
until homogeneous. Retrieved levels
of 0,00, 0.2, 0.4, 1.0, 1.2 and 2.0
mg / L MBAs. The standard solution is
taken with the respective volumes each 100 ml and put in a 30 mL
separatory
funnel.
Added
a
methylene blue solution as much as
25ml. Added 10 mL of CHCl3, shaken
out strong - strong for 30 seconds, at
all times open funnel to remove the
gas
cap.
Settling
until
phase
separation occurs, rocked gently
separating funnel - land, if the
emulsion is formed, add a little
isopropyl alcohol (10 mL), the bottom
layer (CHCl3) issued and placed in
another separating funnel.
Extraction was repeated as item
4 and 5 as much as 2 times and the
extract solution combined with the
extract solution in point 5. Added 50
mL of wash solution into the extract
solution (combined chloroform) and
shaken strong - strong for 30
seconds.
Settling
until
phase
separation occurs, the funnel is
shaken slowly - the land, the bottom
layer (Chloroform) issued through
glass fibers, put in a flask (keep the
water layer does not carry over).
Extraction was repeated to wash
solution with chloroform as item 4
and 5 as much as 2 times. The glass
fibers are washed with chloroform as
many as 5 mL and combined with the
above extract solution.
The extract solution was added
to 50 mL volumetric flask and

chloroform was added to the

calibration mark. The extract solution
was
added
to
the
cuvet
spectrophotometer,
read
and
recorded the absorbance at 652 nm
wavelength, readings were taken not
more than 3 hours after the
extraction. If the difference in
absorbance measurement results in
duplicate entry is greater than 2%
check tool and repeat the work of the
first step, if more small or equal to
2%, average - averaged results. A
calibration curve was made from the
data lines 13 and determined
equations.

Assay Test Procedure Surfactants

Samples were taken each - each
100 ml and put in a 500 mL
separatory
funnel.
Added
the
methylene blue solution of 25 mL.
Added 50 mL of chloroform, shaken
out strong - strong for 30 seconds, at
all times open funnel to remove the
gas
cap.
Settling
up
phase
separation, separating funnel is
shaken slowly - land. Added 50 mL of
wash solution into the extract
solution (combined chloroform) and
shaken strong - strong for 30
seconds.
Settling until phase separation
occurs, rocked slowly - the land, the
bottom layer (chloroform) was issued
through glass fibers, put in a 100 mL
Erlenmeyer (keep the water layer
does not carry over). The extract
solution was inserted into the cuvette
in the spectrophotometer, read and
recorded absorbance at 652 nm
wavelength, readings were taken not
more than 3 hours after the
extraction.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Test Procedure Surfactants and

Calibration Curve
UV-Vis spectrophotometry is
one of the methods in chemical
analysis used to determine the
composition of a sample of both
quantitative and qualitative, based
on the interaction between matter
and light. Equipment used in the
spectrophotometric
called
a
spectrophotometer. Light is able to
form visible light, UV and infrared,
while the material can be either
atoms and molecules but are more
involved is the valence electrons.
Spectrum released by the UV,
VIS and UV-VIS form a wide band
while the band issued by the IR form
of a line or a sharp peak.
Broad band of UV-VIS due to the
energy that in addition to causing an
electronic transition occurs also
rotation and vibration of electrons in
the molecule. While in IR only occurs
vibration
spectrum
generated
electrons then form a line or a sharp
peak. In addition to the IR spectrum
of a line may also occur at NMR
spectroscopy
because
it
only
happens electron rotation.
The resulting spectrum of each
spectroscopic different from one
another. The UV spectrum chemists,
VIS and IR can be distinguished
easily. Spectrum produced by the UV,
VIS and UV-VIS does not vary much,
but very very different when
compared to the IR spectrum. To
distinguish it can be seen in the
picture:

Pictures of the UV spectrum.

However, the spectrum of VIS
spectrophotometer UV-VIS and UV
spectra resemble IR spectrum image.

IR spectrum image. The highest

ribbon pointing downwards while the
highest UV ribbon pointing up this is
due to the IR spectrophotometer
written in wave number.
Determination of anionic surfactants
in wastewater samples by using the
method of MBAs by
spectrophotometry using a
wavelength of 652 nm. First be
measured absorbance of a standard
solution of MBAs who have made
previously. Table 4.1 shows the
absorbance values of standard
solutions MBAs. Figure 4.1 shows the
standard calibration curve of
standard solution of MBAs.

CONCLUSION
Detergent levels in the waste water
can be tested using UV-Vis
spectrophotometry MBA while the
principle of this method is the
principle is the anionic surfactant will
bind with methylene blue to form a
blue complex compound soluble in
chloroform phase when extracted
and read the concentration using UVVIS on the length wave 675 nm. From
the analysis of the detergent
concentration values obtained in the
waste water of 0.2390 ppm and
0.2686 ppm, still meet quality
standards, ie below 5 mg / L
wastewater.

REFFERENCES
[1]

Ananta,
Mifta,
2013,
Detergen-MBAs, Dec 12 2013,

ml.scribd.com
https://www.scribd.com/doc/19
1081695/Detergen-MBAS
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Nov
13
2012,
surabaya.
https://www.scribd.com/doc/11
3066842/Jurnal-AnalisisDetergen
[3] Trievita, Anna, Furri,
2010,Pengaruh Perbedaan
Ukuran Partikel dari Ampas Tebu
dan Konsentrasi Natrium Bisulfit
(NaHSO3) pada Proses
Pembuatan Surfaktan, Dec 2012.
http://jtk.unsri.ac.id/index.php/jtk/
article/view/33/35
[4]Agung, yuni, 2010, Surfaktan
Anionik dengan Spektrofotometer,
juli 14 2010, ml.scribd.com
https://www.scribd.com/doc/3433
7990/SNI-06-6989-51-2005Surfaktan-Anionik-DenganSpektrofotometer