Surface Activity, Antimicrobial Properties and Biodegradability of n-Alkyl Xylosides, Xylobiosides, and Xylotriosides

Alkyl oligoxylosides containing xyloside, xylobioside and xylotrioside with n-alkyl chains of 8, 10 and 12 carbon atoms were compared for surface activity, biodegradability and antimicrobial activity.Alkyl β-D-xylobioside showed the best physicochemical properties as a surface active agent.The β -anomers exhibited greater surface activity than the corresponding α-anomers .All the alkyl oligoxylosides were readily biodegradable.n-Dodecyl xylobioside showed slight antimicrobial activity comparable to that of conventional ethoxylated alcohols.