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Surfactant Analysis

Identification and Quantitation of Surfactants in Finished Products, Intermediates, and Residuals

Impact Analytical is a leading provider of surfactant analysis services for the consumer products industry and surfactant manufacturers. Impact Analytical utilizes state-of-the-art instrumentation to evaluate products and materials effectively and accurately for surfactants. Our liquid separations laboratory is fully equipped with Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) instruments for separation, identification, and quantitation of surfactants in various sample matrices.

Examples of Impact Analytical’s surfactant testing capabilities include:

  • Analysis of anionic, cationic, and non-ionic surfactants for composition
  • Identification and quantitation of surfactant in detergents
  • Identification and quantitation of surfactant in cleaners and other consumer products
  • Quantitation of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
  • Characterization of manufactured surfactants (i.e., raw materials)
  • Identification of surfactants in commercial products for reverse engineering

The surfactant identification and quantitation

When you work with us, our experts will first consult with you to discuss the objectives for the project and gather any available information about the product. Background information about the product can greatly aid in the identification of the surfactant as well as reduce the time required for the project. Our experts will work with you and will work internally to develop the most efficient plan to identify the surfactant of interest and to select the most appropriate techniques for the project.

Techniques used for the process

Impact Analytical has the most advanced instrumentation to perform surfactant analyses. Most surfactant analyses will require some separation of components within the sample. Our laboratory routinely uses LC-MS for these analyses. Our laboratory is well equipped with LC-MS instruments, which can provide accurate mass information on components in the sample.  This leads to timely assignments for the components in the product. The LC-MS can also detect compounds without UV chromophores that would not be detected by HPLC-UV. Once identified, the surfactant in the sample may be quantitated using UPLC, HPLC, or LC-MS. Impact Analytical has other instruments available for more difficult analyses. Other instruments available at Impact Analytical include GC-MSNMRFT-IRICP, and several other instruments. Only the most appropriated techniques will be used for the project, helping you to manage the cost of the project.

Final product

Impact Analytical will communicate with you during your surfactant analysis to ensure that your project objectives are met. Throughout the project you will be able to determine whether or not your needs have been satisfied and to determine if additional testing is required to satisfy those needs. A quality surfactant analysis will be the end product of our testing. For a complete list of our testing services please visit the Services page or request a quote to discuss your testing needs.

Related Case Studies/Whitepapers

Industry: Consumer Products
Problem: SLS detection in laundry detergent claiming to be SLS free
Solution: LCMS Analysis – read full case study

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