Alkyl polyglycosides determination

V. Goclik and P. Mischnick, Determination of the DS and the substituent distribution of cationic alkyl polyglycosides and cationic starch ethers by GLC after dealkylation with morphohne, Carbohydr. Res., 338 (2003) 733-741. 

These surfactant classes are a subset of those used in cleaning applications, and there are classes that are noticeably absent from the list above, such as alcohol sulfates, salts of fatty acids (soaps), alkanolamides, aliphatic sulfonates, betaines (amphoterics), methyl ester sulfonates and the relatively new alkyl polyglycosides. All of these have seen various applications in the petroleum industry, but perhaps lesser importance in EOR. Cost, availability and performance are the obvious issues in determining the potential use of surfactants in EOR. 

C. Alkyl Polyglycoside Trace Determination in Environmental Matrices [33]... 

The first step is to preconcentrate and separate the material of interest from the matrix by solid-phase extraction. The solid-phase material used is hydro-phobic silica gel (octadecyltrichlorosilane derivative). After preconditioning with methanol, 0.1-1 L of sample solution is passed through the cartridge or empore disk. After rinsing with water, the adsorbed surfactant is eluted with methanol. Recovery is in the 95-100% range. In the extract, alkyl polyglycosides are determined by HPLC or GC methods identical to or comparable with those already described. 

The requirements for the design of alkyl polyglycoside production plants based on the Fischer synthesis are critically determined by the carbohydrate types used and by the chain length of the alcohol used as described here for the production of alkyl polyglycosides on the basis of octanol/decanol and dodecanol/tetradecanol. 

On the other hand, mucous membrane compatibility, as determined by the in vitro test on the chorionallantois membrane of fertilized hens eggs (HET-CAM) as an alternative to Draize s mucous membrane compatibility test, shows a monotonic decrease from Cg to Cj alkyl polyglycoside within the range of mild irritation. The DP causes only a slight differentiation of compatibility in this case. 

The eyes were assessed by awarding scores at certain intervals after apphca-tion under the Draize scheme. The 24/48/72-hour mean scores were determined for the cornea, for conjunctiva, and for the iris. All responses were checked for reversibihty for 21 days. The results are given in Table 19. alkyl polyglycoside does not have to be classified as a hazard or labeled as such [101], whereas alkyl polyglycosides fall within the R36 ( irritating to the eyes ) category of the E.U. risk classification [102]. 

A recent book chapter discusses analysis of alkyl polyglycosides (136). APG is usually determined in formulated products by HPLC or TLC. 

Waldhoff, H., J. Scherler, M. Schmitt, J. R. Varvil, Alkyl polyglycosides and determination in consumer products and environmental matrices, in K. Hill, W. von Rybinski, and G. Stoll, eds.. Alkyl polyglycosides. Technology, Properties and Applications, VCH, Weinheim, 1997. 

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