Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Foam problems in enzymatic cleaning products

  • Foam problems in enzymatic cleaning products

    Posted by Rufiano on December 12, 2024 at 9:53 pm

    I have an enzymatic cleaner product with the following soap content:
    a. Texapon N70 3%
    b. CAPB 3%

    I have a complaint that the product has too much foam & the problem is that the foam is difficult to disappear so that it makes the tool or instrument difficult to see during soaking or washing. I have tried again by creating a formula :
    - without Texapone
    - without CAPB

    And get the result that texapone is the one that makes the foam difficult to disappear……
    I also do the clean power test on both formulas by soaking a cloth containing blood in 1% liquid and showing the results are both clean, BUT the 1% liquid without texapone (containing CAPB only) becomes cloudy so that the liquid cannot be used repeatedly (max 3 times)…… While the 1% liquid containing texapone (without CAPB) remains clear.

    How can i get a formula with foam easily disappear but still clear soaking water??
    I would be very happy if you guys could give me advice or help. Thank you very much

    ketchito replied 17 hours, 59 minutes ago 2 Members · 1 Reply
  • 1 Reply
  • ketchito

    Member
    December 13, 2024 at 7:00 am

    I assume you have a stabilizing system for your enzymes (borate, glycerol, not high pH, mild chelant, etc.).

    Now, SLES and CAPB have a synergistic effect on both detergency and foam, and that’s why they are used in different types of products around the world. SLES foams more and is more detersive than CAPB, which is usually added to boost SLES’s foam, make it more detersive (by forming more micelles) but also milder. If you remove SLES, CAPB won’t be so effective at cleaning; if you remove CAPB, your SLES would actually be harsher against your enzymes.

    If you don’t want that much foam, you could do the following:

    - reduce both SLES and CAPB but keeping the ratio

    - replace part of the SLES by a fatty alcohol ethoxylate like laureth-9

    - increase your glyrerol or PPG (which I assume you’re using to stabilize your enzymes)

    - add an hydrotrope like SXS (they reduce foaming of anionics, although not dramatically)

    - add a silicone antifoam for cleaning products

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