抄録
Novel surfactant based on a sea lettuce extract has been synthesized by etherification with butanol, followed by transetherification with dodecanol. An aqueous solution of the reaction product showed a low contact angle on Teflon film and low surface energy; their values were somewhat lower than those obtained for commercially available surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulfonate and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate. The reaction product also exhibited excellent biodegradability in activated sludge. These experimental results clearly support the idea that the sea lettuce extract has high potentiality for feedstock as an environmentally friendly surfactant. Furthermore, material circulation on a limited regional scale, that is, local production for local consumption of the surfactant for daily use, can be achieved when the surfactant based on the sea lettuce extract is put to practical use.
