Can Natural Plant based Surfactants provide a Green Alternative?

by Prof. Amitabha Bhattacharyya (Central University of Sikkim)

Wednesday 14 Jan 2026, 16:00 → 17:00 Asia/Kolkata

Seminar Hall (Department of Physics)

Amphiphilic nature of the surfactant molecules is responsible for reduction of surface tension of water having varied applications in domestic and industrial purpose. Once the surfactants enter the aquatic environment, they cause extensive damages, leading to large environmental burden. So, it is necessary to find an alternative to synthetic surfactants which is bio-compatible. One such choice could be plant based natural surfactants.
This study exhibits surfactant properties and preliminary analysis of four plant based natural surfactants called saponin extracted from Acacia concinna (Shikakai), Mucuna gigantea (Hamburger Seed), Albizia procera (Seto Siris), and Zephyranthes carinata (Pyagi Phool), Agave americana (Hattibhar). These plants have been traditionally used in cleaning and could be used as biodegradable and renewable alternatives. The inside of the seeds of Hamburger have been traditionally used as soap and the outer cover as face wash. Seto Siris pods and leaves have been used for cleaning jewelry since ancient time. Saponins turn out to be acid balanced, biodegradable renewable surfactants with low critical micelle concentration. They give prominent surface tension reduction, high foaming and cleaning, at par with synthetic surfactants. Natural surfactants have a potential to be used as a surface-active agent. Our results suggest these plant derived natural surfactants have remarkable surface active properties and can provide useful input to food and cosmetic industries as bio-degradable eco-friendly surfactants.

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