Biodegradable surfactants derived from corn starch

Abstract Polyol glucosides, prepared by reacting corn starch with ethylene glycol or glycerol, were used to make biodegradable surfactants. The hydroxyl sites of the glycosides were first partially polyalkoxylated with ethylene oxide or a mixture of ethylene and propylene oxides. The resulting derivatives then were reacted with various long chain epoxides or fatty esters. A good hydrophilic‐lipophilic balance in these products was achieved by controlling the number of alkoxide and aliphatic groups/anhydroglucose unit. Surface active properties of these products were destroyed rapidly by the bacteria of an activated sludge. This excellent biodegradability property was attributed to the presence of the glycoside unit.