North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Stephen Sadler" <Docshiva@Docshiva.org>]

Yes, Doc L said that surfactants could be dangerous in the diet, and then I pointed out that some are very edible.  But I don’t disagree with what he said: that they are strong reagents.  Yes, many surfactants are strong reagents – some are very alkaline, and will react readily with acids, forming salts.  Strongly reagent molecules, particularly biologically derived alkaloids, can be very active in organisms, in both helpful and hurtful ways. 

 

‘Surfactant’ is a property shared by many molecules, some bio-friendly, some not at all.

 

Stephen Sadler, Ph.D.

USDA 9, AHS heat zone 8,

Sacramento CA - Mediterranean climate

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From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Stephen Sadler
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2005 4:04 PM
To: 'North American Fruit Explorers'
Subject: RE: [NAFEX] ? for Doc about surfactants

 

I know I’m not the doc you asked, but here’s a bit more on the subject:

 

A surfactant (short for SURFace ACTive AgeNT) is a chemical which will reduce the surface tension of a liquid.  The molecules generally have a hydrophilic – or water-attracting end, and a lipophilic, or fat-attracting end.  Soap is a surfactant, and the dual-philic molecule is what makes greases and oils ‘dissolve’ in water; the surface between the two normally non-mixing fluids dissolves, as each type of molecule is attracted to the soap.  Egg yolks contain the surfactant lecithin, and detergents use surfactant molecules to help mix greasy stains into the wash water so they can be rinsed away.  Many plants (mustard, soapwort, soy) make surfactants, and some of the chemicals that animal bodies make have those properties.  There is nothing inherently harmful in the group of compounds.  Some surfactants (wetting agents are surfactants) will penetrate plant or animal skins, and can carry other chemicals with them; or just carry themselves.  Insecticidal soap can invade soft-bodied insects and introduce a large amount of itself into their systems, in quantities that are deadly to the wee beasties. 

 

The potential environmental problems are due to the type, amount, specific lethality, and biodegradability of surfactants released into the environment.  If you choose an organic alternative to Roundup, it may still contain a surfactant, which is fine.  The one(s) in Roundup seems to be very harmful to amphibians. 

 

I will now wash my hands of the matter – safely, with no environmental concerns, with a nicely surfactant organic artisan-made soap…