anionic detergent

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Related to anionic detergent: cationic detergent, nonionic detergent

anionic detergent

A detergent whose hydrophilic activity hinges on an anionic group. Fatty acids are natural anionic detergents (AD), but are neither used as detergents nor function as such in biological systems; the main synthetic ADs are aliphatic sulphate esters (e.g., sodium dodecyl sulphate).

anionic detergent

A natural or synthetic chemical substance such as a soap, which does not ionize when placed in water..

an·i·on·ic de·ter·gent

(anī-onik dĕ-tĕrjĕnt)

Cleansing agent that carries a net negative charge on a lipidlike molecule and exerts a limited antibacterial effect (e.g,. a soap).

References in periodicals archive ?

The addition of anionic detergent seemed to suppress this influence efficiently.