Description

Sodium coco/babassu/andiroba sulfate is an anionic surfactant derived from the fatty alcohols of coconut, babassu (Orbignya Oleifera), and andiroba oils, esterified with sulfuric acid and subsequently neutralized with sodium. This surfactant is utilized for its cleansing and foaming properties, suitable for personal care and cleaning products.

Chemical Composition and Structure

This compound results from the reaction of fatty alcohols extracted from coconut, babassu, and andiroba oils with sulfuric acid to form sulfuric esters. These esters are then neutralized with sodium to produce the sodium sulfate salts. The molecule incorporates fatty acid chains from these three oils combined with a sulfate group, enhancing its effectiveness as a cleansing agent.

Physical Properties

Sodium coco/babassu/andiroba sulfate typically appears as a white or pale yellow solid, exhibiting fine granularity. It dissolves well in water, creating a rich, stable foam that is effective in removing oils and residues, making it highly valued in cosmetic and household cleaning formulations.

Production Process

Extraction of Oils: The production starts with the extraction of oils from coconut, babassu, and andiroba, rich in fatty alcohols needed for the subsequent chemical reactions.
Esterification:
Reaction with Sulfuric Acid: The extracted fatty alcohols are treated with sulfuric acid, creating sulfuric esters.
Condition Monitoring: The reaction conditions are closely monitored to ensure complete conversion and to maintain the quality of the esters.
Neutralization:
Sodium Addition: Sodium hydroxide is added to neutralize the sulfuric esters, forming the sodium salts.
Purification: The reaction mixture is purified to remove any unreacted materials, excess acid, and other by-products.
Drying and Standardization: The purified sodium salts are dried and processed into a fine powder or granules. Standardization tests are conducted to ensure consistent product quality and performance.
Quality Control: Extensive testing verifies the purity, solubility, and foaming capabilities of the final product, ensuring it meets industry standards for use in consumer products.

Applications

Personal Care Products: Widely used in shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers for its excellent foaming properties and gentle cleansing effectiveness.
Household Cleaning Products: Employed in dishwashing liquids and surface cleaners, where it helps to efficiently cut through grease and grime.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Sodium coco/babassu/andiroba sulfate is considered environmentally friendly due to its biodegradable nature. However, the sustainable sourcing of the base oils—coconut, babassu, and andiroba—is crucial to minimize the environmental impact associated with their extraction and processing. It is generally regarded as safe for use in both cosmetic and household products, under current regulatory standards.

INCI


Cleansing agent. Ingredient that cleanses skin without exploiting the surface-active properties that produce a lowering of the surface tension of the stratum corneum.

Surfactant - Cleansing agent. Cosmetic products used to cleanse the skin utilise the surface-active action that produces a lowering of the surface tension of the stratum corneum, facilitating the removal of dirt and impurities.
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