University leading groundbreaking research
A SCIENTIST has discovered a way of using one of the world’s most abundant natural resources as a replacement for man-made chemicals in soaps and thousands of other household products.
An innovative research project, led by the University of Portsmouth, has demonstrated that bails of rice straw could create a ‘biosurfacant’, providing an alternative non-toxic ingredient in the production of a vast variety of products.
Dr Pattanathu Rahman, microbial biotechnologist from the University of Portsmouth, said: ‘Surfactants are everywhere, including detergent, fabric softener, glue insecticides, shampoo, toothpaste, paint, laxatives and make up.
‘Imagine if we could make and manufacture biosurfacants in sufficient quantities to use instead of surfactants, taking the man-made chemical bonds out of these products.
‘This research shows – with the use of agricultural waste such as rice straws, which is in plentiful supply – we are a step closer.’
Scientists behind the research believe the use of biosurfactants created from rice straw or other agricultural waste could have a positive ecological effect in a number of ways:
There is significant concern about the impact of the chemical surfactants used in household products, most of which ends up in the oceans.