Abstract

A Greek liquid cleaning product was analyzed and its components were identified with FT-IR spectroscopy. The soluble-insoluble matter ethanolic 95° of a professional cleaning product was determined quantitively to be 3.15%w/w, and 1.21%w/w, respectively. The FT-IR spectra were recorded of both the insoluble matter ethanolic 95° and the soluble matter ethanolic 95°, of the liquid professional cleaner. The anionicactive matter content of the product was also determined quantitively to be 0.52%w/w. Polycarboxylic acids salts, present in the detergent product, were identified qualitatively from the ir peaks at 2912cm^-1, at 1723cm^-1, at 1567cm^-1, at 1402cm^-1, at 1334cm^-1 and at 1128cm^-1 which acted as sequestering builders. The anionic surfactant present was identified primarily from the peaks at 1182cm^-1 and at 1049cm^-1. The non-ionic surfactant present was identified from the peaks at 1121cm^-1 and at 1011cm^-1. The fragrance molecule was identified qualitatively from the ir peaks at 934cm^-1, at 832cm^-1, at 774cm^-1, at 622cm^-1 and at 608cm^-1. An anion exchange resin column was used to elute the anionic surfactant with ammonium bicarbonate solution in an isopropanol/water mixture 60/40v/v. The non-ionic surfactant eluted at the end with isopropanol. Primary biodegradability, and then final aerobic biodegradability tests of the cleaner broke down the surfactants and finally decomposed them into carbon dioxide, water and microbial cellular components.

Keywords: Cleaning product; Polycarboxylate polymer; Anionic surfactant; Non-ionic surfactant; Fragrance; Detergent under basic conditions; Electrophiles; Nucleophiles; FT-IR spectra; Anion exchange resin column; Biodegradability