Detergents are used to keep many things clean, primarily clothing. However, many consumers may be unaware of the environmental impact that detergents can have. It is critical to ensure these products that are ending up in our wastewater systems in large quantities will break down, even if this aspect may be hidden from the consumer. When you formulate your biodegradable detergents, it is important to highlight not only their functional properties, but also their environmental properties as well.
Benefits of Biodegradable Detergents
Reduces the Pollutants in Our Water and Environment
Biodegradable detergents easily break down in the environment and do not contain persistent chemicals that can accumulate over time. Even if animal species are continually exposed to very low levels of persistent chemicals, it can still cause a significant problem due to the buildup of the chemical in their system over time. This can eventually lead to lethal concentrations being met or other adverse health problems arising. By ensuring the detergents can fully mineralize in the world, this avoids the harmful effects that can be caused by chemical bioaccumulation in animal species.
Function
When making detergents, it is important to be aware of their environmental impact wile also still ensuring they perform properly. Not only do consumers want these detergents to be gentle on skin to reduce irritation and allergic reactions, but they also expect them be effective in cleaning.
Biodegradable Testing for Detergents
OECD 301
There are a few OECD 301 tests, each of which tests for the ready biodegradability of your products. At Aropha, we offer OECD 301B, OECD 301D, and OECD 301F. Each of these tests are aqueous aerobic biodegradation tests that determine the ready biodegradability of your detergent. These tests are used to determine if your products are easily biodegradable, and can be indicative of your product’s ability to be fully broken down when getting to wastewater treatment systems.
OECD 301B measures the CO2 evolution to determine the ready biodegradability of the detergent. This test is done in continuously aerated bottles over the course of 28 days.
OECD 301D measures the dissolved oxygen consumption during biodegradation in closed bottles over a 28 day period.
OECD 301F measures the oxygen consumption during biodegradation in closed respirometers, or a closed bottle with headspace.
During these tests, a detergent is considered readily biodegradable if 60% of degradation is reached within a 10-day window. This 10-day window must fall within the 28 day period and is defined as beginning when 10% of degradation is reached and ending 10 days from that point. When the detergent passes, it is considered readily biodegradable and is assumed to undergo rapid and ultimate biodegradation.
OECD 209
OECD 209 determines the effects of a detergent on microorganisms from activated sludge of a wastewater treatment plant. This is done by measuring the microorganisms’ respiration rate — of either carbon and/or ammonium oxidation — as oxygen consumption. This test determines if the detergent tested is inhibitory to the microorganisms in the sludge.
Get Help Formulating Biodegradable Detergents with Biodegradability Testing from Aropha.
At Aropha, our team is dedicated to providing you with the biodegradability testing you need for the research and development of your products, and the certification of your products. We have a digital twin simulation platform, ArophaAI, which allows you to simulate any of the tests we offer online accurately and get immediate results. Then, you can send your products to our lab for the remaining biodegradability testing you need.
Contact our team today to learn more!