Abstract
Alkyl oligoxylosides containing xyloside, xylobioside and xylotrioside with n-alkyl chains of 8, 10 and 12 carbon atoms were compared for surface activity, biodegradability and antimicrobial activity. Alkyl β-D-xylobioside showed the best physicochemical properties as a surface active agent. The β-anomers exhibited greater surface activity than the corresponding α-anomers. All the alkyl oligoxylosides were readily biodegradable. n-Dodecyl xylobioside showed slight antimicrobial activity comparable to that of conventional ethoxylated alcohols.
