A team of researchers from the University of Minnesota claim to ‘have invented a new soap molecule made from renewable sources that could reduce the number of chemicals needed in soap products’.
“Our team created a soap molecule made from natural products like soybeans, coconut and corn, that works better than regular soaps and is better for the environment,” said Paul Dauenhauer, a University of Minnesota associate professor and co-author of the study. “This research could have a major impact on the multibillion-dollar cleaning products industry.”
The researchers formed the soap molecule – known as oleo-furan-surfactant (OFS) – through a combination of biodegradable ingredients. They found that the ‘OFS worked well in cold water (where conventional soaps become unusable)’ and formed ‘soap particles (called micelles) necessary for cleaning at low concentrations, which reduces the environmental impact on water systems’.
[quote]”The impact of OFS soaps will be greater than their detergent performance,” stated chemical engineering and materials science graduate student Kristeen Joseph. “OFS is made from straight carbon chains derived from soybeans or coconut which can readily biodegrade. These are really the perfect soap molecules.” [/quote]‘The technology has been patented by the University of Minnesota and is licensed to Minnesota-based startup company Sironix Renewables’.