Humic acid like substances isolated from compost show potential as chemical auxiliaries. In the present study, three surfactant samples were obtained from green waste composted for 060 days to assess aging effects of the source on the properties of the products. The surface activity, dye solubility enhancement, and chemical nature of these substances were compared. No differences in performance were established among the samples. They lower water surface tension and enhancethe dye solubility upon increasing their concentration. However, the ratio of soluble dye to added surfactant is higher in the premicellar than in the postmicellar concentration region. Structural investigations indicated the humic acid like substances to be amphiphiles with molecular weights in the range of 13×10^5 g/mol. The surfactant samples were also compared to sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, polyacrylic acid, and soil and water humic substances. The results encourage the application of compost as a source of low-cost biosurfactant.
Biosurfactants from urban green wastes
Mendichi R;
2009
Abstract
Humic acid like substances isolated from compost show potential as chemical auxiliaries. In the present study, three surfactant samples were obtained from green waste composted for 060 days to assess aging effects of the source on the properties of the products. The surface activity, dye solubility enhancement, and chemical nature of these substances were compared. No differences in performance were established among the samples. They lower water surface tension and enhancethe dye solubility upon increasing their concentration. However, the ratio of soluble dye to added surfactant is higher in the premicellar than in the postmicellar concentration region. Structural investigations indicated the humic acid like substances to be amphiphiles with molecular weights in the range of 13×10^5 g/mol. The surfactant samples were also compared to sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, polyacrylic acid, and soil and water humic substances. The results encourage the application of compost as a source of low-cost biosurfactant.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
