Hydrolysates of chromed waste as raw materials for the production of surfactants

Hydrolysate of chromed waste, obtained by biotechnology methods, was modified by substituting primary -NH 2 groups (van Slyke) with chloracetic acid, oleyl chloride, phthalic acid anhydride and benzyl chloride; the surface activity of the resulting modified substances was monitored. The first two samples (modification of primary -NH 2 groups according to van Slyke and modification by chloracetic acid) did not show any surface activity; modification by phthalic acid anhydride and benzyl chloride resulted in substances with comparable surface activity. Modification with oleyl chloride results in the most active product. Probably owing to the relatively high molecular weight of the hydrolysate, a surfactant yield of around 13-24% is achieved, based on the reaction mixture solids.