Surfactant documentation is dense with abbreviations, and the same term can carry different weight in a marketing claim than in a study report. This glossary defines the terminology used across the PureSurf site and in the technical data sheets, including the test standards behind the published figures.
How to use this glossary
Terms are grouped conceptually rather than alphabetically in the body text below: molecular structure, performance metrics, environmental testing and regulatory language. Where a term names a formal standard, the issuing body and the number are given so the underlying method can be looked up.
- Amphiphile
- A molecule with both a water-attracting (hydrophilic) and a water-repelling (hydrophobic) part. All surfactants are amphiphiles.
- Surfactant
- Surface active agent. A molecule that accumulates at interfaces and lowers surface or interfacial tension.
- Micelle
- A spherical cluster of surfactant molecules with hydrophobic tails inward and hydrophilic heads outward, forming above the CMC.
- CMC
- Critical micelle concentration: the concentration at which micelles begin to form. A lower CMC means performance at a lower dose. NEXOVANT reaches 80.7 ppm.
- Interfacial tension
- The energy at the boundary between two immiscible liquids. Lower values mean easier emulsification. PureSurf chemistry reaches up to 8× lower values than benchmark surfactants.
- HLB
- Hydrophilic-lipophilic balance: a numeric scale describing whether a surfactant favours oil-in-water or water-in-oil systems.
- Amine oxide
- A non-ionic surfactant class with an oxidised tertiary amine head group. Strong grease removal, good foam and mildness, cationic character under acidic pH.
- Non-ionic surfactant
- A surfactant with no net charge on the head group. Tolerant of hard water and electrolytes, low irritation potential.
- Gelator
- A substance that builds viscosity and structure in a liquid. RHEOSYL is an additive-free bio-based gelator reaching 7.0×10³ mPa·s.
- Bio-based
- Describes carbon originating from renewable biomass rather than petroleum. It says nothing about the production route or biodegradability.
- Biosurfactant
- A surfactant produced biologically, usually by microbial fermentation. Every biosurfactant is bio-based, but not every bio-based surfactant is a biosurfactant.
- Ready biodegradability
- The strict biodegradation category: 60 % oxygen demand or carbon dioxide evolution, or 70 % dissolved organic carbon removal, within 28 days and within a 10-day window.
- OECD 301F
- Manometric respirometry test for ready biodegradability, widely used for surfactants. NEXOVANT is readily biodegradable under this method (GLP).
- OECD 431
- In vitro skin corrosion test. NEXOVANT is confirmed not corrosive to skin under this method (GLP).
- OECD 471
- Bacterial reverse mutation test (Ames test) for mutagenicity. NEXOVANT is confirmed non-mutagenic (GLP).
- ISO 11348-3:2007
- Luminescent bacteria test using Aliivibrio fischeri to determine aquatic toxicity. The basis for the PureSurf EC50 comparisons.
- EC50
- The concentration causing a 50 % effect in a defined test population. A higher EC50 means lower toxicity.
- GLP
- Good Laboratory Practice: a formal quality framework for non-clinical safety studies. GLP data is auditable, unlike internal screening results.
- DIN EN 1276
- European quantitative suspension test for bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants. SYLVAXIS is compliant with this standard.
- ESKAPE pathogens
- A group of six bacterial species known for antimicrobial resistance. SYLVAXIS is active against ESKAPE and multidrug-resistant pathogens.
- REACH
- The EU regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. Registration volume bands determine the data package required.
- TRL
- Technology Readiness Level, from 1 (basic principles) to 9 (proven in operation). RHEOSYL and SYLVAXIS are at TRL 4, validated in the laboratory.
- FTO
- Freedom to operate: confirmation that a technology can be commercialised without infringing third-party patents. The PureSurf position is FTO clean.
- Side stream
- A material produced alongside a main product, often treated as waste. PureSurf uses renewable European side streams as chemical feedstock.
