Silk eyed as petrochemical replacement in soap

December 14, 2020 |

In New York, researchers at Manhattan College and green chemistry startup Evolved by Nature have demonstrated that pure silk can act as a co-surfactant, making the renewable material a potential replacement for petrochemicals in soap formulations. 

The research demonstrated that a natural silk protein produced by Evolved by Nature—trade-named Activated Silk™ 10S—synergized with capryl glucoside to create a “highly effective natural co-surfactant system.” Notably, the work showed better surface tension and cleansing properties than industry-standard surfactants such as sodium laureth sulfate. 

“The collaboration with Evolved By Nature clearly highlighted that high-performance, natural personal care formulations can be effectively designed through engineering the interactions and microstructure in these natural surfactant systems,” Professor Samiul Amin, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Manhattan College, said in a press statement. “Activated Silk was seen as a highly promising natural alternative to petroleum derived surfactants in providing excellent foaming, cleansing and rheology performance through synergistic interactions with natural surfactants and polysaccharides.”

The work was published in a recent issue of the International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 

Category: Chemicals & Materials

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