Synthesis of Amino Acid-based Anionic Surfactants from Coconut Oil and Characterization of Interfacial Properties

Abstract

In this study, two types of amino acids-based anionic biosurfactants such as potassium cocoyl glutamate (CTK) and sodium cocoyl glutamate (CTN) were synthesized from coconut oils and the structure elucidation of CTK and CTN was carried out by using FT-IR, H-1-NMR and C-13-NMR spectrophotometries. Measurements of interfacial properties such as static and dynamic surface tensions and emulsification activity showed that both CTK and CTN were surface-active and effective in lowering the interfacial free energy. In particular, the CTK surfactant was found to be more efficient in reducing the interfacial free energy since the larger number of CTK molecules was preferentially adsorbed at the air-water interface due to the higher hydrophobicity and larger mobility of CTK than those of using CTN, indicating possible uses in cosmetics and household products formulation.