Determination of Surfactant (MBAS) (SM 5540 C Method)

Within the scope of the National Environmental Methods Index (NEMI), the SM 5540 C method, which includes a test method for the determination of surfactant (MBAS), has been developed.

Surfactants enter waters and wastewater mainly through the discharge of aqueous waste from domestic and industrial washing and other cleaning processes. A surfactant combines a strong hydrophobic group with a strongly hydrophilic group in a single molecule. Such molecules tend to aggregate at the interfaces between the aqueous medium and other phases of the system such as air, oily liquids and particles, thus conferring properties such as foaming and particle suspension.

Cationic surfactants are less than one-tenth of the ionic and are generally used for disinfecting, fabric softening, and various cosmetic purposes rather than for their cleansing properties. At current detergent and water usage levels, the surfactant content of raw domestic wastewater is approximately 1-20 mg/l is in the range. Most household wastewater surfactants dissolve in equilibrium with proportional amounts adsorbed to particles.

MBAS is an abbreviation for methylene blue active substances, which is a widely used screening test to determine the presence of anionic surfactants.

In the tests and analyzes carried out in our organization, which has a wide range of technological equipment, trained and experienced staff and applies the most modern methods, national and international standards and legal regulations in force are complied with. Among the numerous tests performed in this context, there are also surfactant (MBAS) determination (SM 5540 C method) services.