Abstract
Adjuvant activities of surfactants for maleic hydrazide diethanolamine salt, a tobacco desuckering agent, were investigated by examining their chemical structure and physico-chemical properties. The correlation between the surfactants' chemical structure and phytotoxicity against tobacco leaves was not recognized, but it was found that the surfactants with carbon number 12 or 18:1 in the alkyl group had high adjuvant activities. The physico-chemical properties of the surfactants and adjuvant activities closely correlated in maximum concentration without phytotoxicity and moisture absorption capacity, but there was no correlation in surface tension, contact angle, HLB (hydrophilic lipophilic balance) and pH. High adjuvant activities were also recognized in some humectants. Findings show it is necessary to select the surfactants with high moisture absorption capacity which can be used at a high concentration without phytotoxicity, if we want to add the adjuvant effects to the traditional wetting agents.
