Enzymatic reactions, surfactant biodegradation

Biodegradation is carried out by bacteria in nature. By enzymatic reactions, a surfactant molecule is ultimately converted into carbon dioxide, water and oxides of the other elements. If the surfactant does not undergo natural biodegradation then it is stable and persists in the environment. For surfactants the rate of biodegradation varies from 1-2 h for fatty acids, 1-2 days for linear alkyl benzene sul-phonates, and several months for branched alkyl benzene sulphonates. The rate of biodegradation depends on the surfactant concentration, pH and temperature. The temperature effect is particularly important, since the rate can vary by as much a factor of five between summer and winter in Northern Europe. 

By the enzymatic esterification of diglycerol with lauric acid, the corresponding monolaurate ester is obtained [84]. This is an important industrial reaction for the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and feed industries, since this ester is used as biodegradable non-ionic surfactant. In recent years, the synthesis of this and other polyglycerols with fatty acids has attracted growing interest in industry, leading also to a demand for enantiomerically and isomerically pure products. 

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