Surfactant Enhanced Bioremediation of Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soils Using Alkyl Polyglucoside

Bioremediation is an efficient and environmentally friendly method for the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in contaminated soils. This study investigated the effects of biosurfactant alkyl polyglycosides (APG) on enhanced biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soils. Three soil samples were contaminated with two different grades of crude oil (medium and Light). Alkyl polyglucoside was synthesised and subjected to FTIR for comfirmation of the product before it was applied in the remediation of contaminated soil. The alkyl polyglucoside is used as a treatment regime in the remediation of the hydrocarbon contamination in the three soil samples. Results of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) before remediation with bio-surfactant showed that samples contaminated with medium crude for Eneka, Ozuoba and Rukpokwu were 15744.00 mg/kg, 11359.00 mg/kg and 11470.00 mg/kg respectively and after remediation reduced to 4276.00 mg/kg, 4265.00 mg/kg, and 3205.00 mg/kg, showing a reduction percentage of 72.84%, 62.44% and 72.05% respectively. Soil samples contaminated with light crude showed result of TPH of 11339.00 mg/kg, 10662 mg/kg and 10226 mg/kg and after remediation reduced to 2981 mg/kg, 3879 mg/kg, and 4245 mg/kg respectively showing a reduction percentage of 73.71%, 63.62 % and 58.49% respectively. The enhanced efficiency of the bio-surfactant at degrading total petroleum hydrocarbons was achieved as a result of the increased solubility thus improving the bioavailability of the hydrocarbons due to the action of the alkyl polyglucoside.

High Performance Conditioning Shampoo with Hyaluronic Acid and Sustainable Surfactants

Recently, consumers have become invested in more natural and sustainable ingredients contained in personal care products. Unfortunately, cationic surfactants are still heavily relied on as primary conditioning agents in products such as conditioning shampoos because of their ability to cling well to the negatively charged surface of hair follicles. Additionally, sulfates are utilized as cleansing agents because they are highly effective and low cost. The objective of this study is to find a more sustainable formulation for a conditioning shampoo without compromising the desired wet combing, rheological, and surface activity properties. The systems which were investigated contained hyaluronic acid (HA) at a variety of molecular weights and concentrations, in combination with a surfactant, either acidic sophorolipid (ASL) or alkyl polyglucoside (APG), and varying the presence of sodium chloride. A Dia-stron was utilized to test the wet combing force, a rheometer recorded the viscosity at various shear rates, and a tensiometer measured the surface tension of the samples before a visual foaming study was conducted. Molecular weight and concentration seemed to have a large impact on wet combing force, as well as rheology, with the largest molecular weight and concentration producing the lowest friction coefficient and desired rheological profile. The addition of a surfactant significantly aids in the reduction in surface tension and increased foamability. Therefore, the optimal system to achieve the largest reduction in wet combing force, large viscosity with shear-thinning behavior, and relatively low surface tension with decent foaming is composed of 1% HA at 800 kDa, 10% ASL and 1% NaCl. This system shows a viable sulfate-free and silicone-free option that can achieve both conditioning and cleansing.

Synthesis and characterization of alkyl polyglucoside surfactant: A pilot tool to industrial applications

In this study, alkyl polyglucoside surfactant was synthesized and the critical micelle concentration (CMC) was determined. The synthesized product was quantified using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). The CMC of the surfactant was evaluated using UV-visible Spectrophotometer. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) value was obtained from the sharp break in the plot of absorbance measurements versus surfactant concentration. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the surfactant was found to be 0.50 mol/dm3. This result showed a precise value for the CMC of non-ionic surfactant; since the value of the CMC obtained was lower than the stock solution of the surfactant prepared. The standard change in Gibbs free energy of the micelle (ΔGoCMC) showed that the process was feasible and spontaneous having the value of − 1.716 kJ/mol. This study recommends that akyl polyglucoside should be widely used for both domestic and industrial processes in view of the environmentally friendly nature, which are safe to use partially.

Alkyl polyglucoside-based emulsions as vehicles for topical spironolactone: A textural analysis

Acne vulgaris is a chronic dermatological disease that affects the pilosebaceous unit; androgens play an important role in its pathogenesis. Acne therapy can be either systemic or topical, usual in the treatment of mild and moderate forms of acne. Spironolactone (SP) is an anti-androgen drug with potential to reduce the sebum secretion; in order to avoid systemic side effects, it could be used topically in acne treatment. Nowadays, more and more attention is being paid to the textural profile of dermopharmaceutical emulsions, which is normally influenced by their colloidal structure; texture analysis is performed in order to predict behavior of the emulsion systems in real-time conditions during manufacturing and application; the latter is closely related to ensuring patients' compliance and the positive outcome of the therapy. We formulated emulsions stabilized with different natural alkyl polyglucoside (APG) emulsifiers (Cetearyl glucoside and cetearyl alcohol and Arachidyl glucoside and arachidyl behenyl alcohol) as vehicles for 5% topical SP. Parameters obtained by texture analysis were firmness and cohesiveness. The study showed that SP affected the texture of APG-based emulsion; different APG-based emulsions showed satisfying textural characteristics per se after incorporation of 5% SP, which could imply their satisfying applicative characteristics on the skin with acne. APGs could be used as stabilizers of emulsion vehicles for topical SP. Dermoemulsion with Arachidyl glucoside and arachidyl behenyl alcohol, more lypophillic emulsifier, is a more acceptable carrier for 5% SP due to a better textural profile.

Oil-In-Water Microemulsions for Thymol Solubilization

Essential oil compounds (EOCs) are molecules with well-known antimicrobial and antipest activity. However, such molecules possess limited solubility in water, making their handling difficult. This work aimed to enhance the distribution of a solid essential oil compound, thymol, using oil-in-water (o/w) microemulsions for its solubilization. The use of mixtures formed by an alkyl polyglucoside (APG) and soybean lecithin (SL) allowed for stabilization of the o/w microemulsions in a broad range of compositions, with the total concentration of the mixture of the two surfactants (APG+SL) and the APG:SL ratio both being essential for controlling the nature of the obtained dispersions. The microemulsions obtained using oleic acid as the oil phase and with compositions far from those corresponding to the onset of the emulsion region showed a good efficiency for thymol solubilization. This is an advantage from a stability point of view, as well as for ease of thymol preparation. The present work opens new alternatives for designing eco-sustainable formulations for EOC solubilization, with the possibility of preparing the formulations at the place of use, thereby saving transport costs and reducing the emission of pollutants.