Alkyl Glycosides and Neighboring Compounds

Abstract

Of the hydrophilic groups functioning as surface-active agents, sugar esters of the higher fatty acid have long been known. Recently, alkyl glycosides have been found to be similar surface-active agents, and are being applied domestically as detergents for kitchen and so forth.
Several properties have been observed which have lead to the use of alkyl glycosides. They are nonionic surface-active agent, with high stability and good lathering. They are also low in toxicity, low in skin irritability, and is biodegradable. Alkyl glycosides are not just surface-active agents, however. They can be used in cellulose processing, are enzyme stabilizers, have applications in the biochemical field, and are components used in artificial cell (liposome). In the future, it is to be supposed, functional compounds containing sugar components, such as alkyl glycosides, will see increasingly wide-spread use.