Analytical Sciences


Abstract − Analytical Sciences, 15(6), 563 (1999).

Rapid Determination of Anionic Surfactants by Improved Spectrophotometric Method Using Methylene Blue
Masaaki KOGA*, Yasushi YAMAMICHI*, Yasuyo NOMOTO*, Maki IRIE*, Toshifumi TANIMURA** and Tetsutaro YOSHINAGA****
*Kitakyushu Life Science Center, Nakabaru-shinmachi, Tobata, Kitakyushu 804-0003, Japan
**Yamaguchi Prefectural Research Institute of Health, Asada, Yamaguchi 753-0871, Japan
***Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Sensuicho, Tobata, Kitakyushu 804-8550, Japan
A rapid and simple method for the determination of anionic surfactants in tap water has been developed. The official analytical method in Japan for the determination of anionic surfactants in tap water requires tedious procedures and requires large amounts of chloroform as the extract solvent; it was greatly improved by the present spectrophotometric method using Methylene Blue. Our present method requires only one half of sample (50 ml), one tenth of the extraction solvent (chloroform=5 ml), and one sixth of the analytical time compared with the official analytical method. (Keywords: Rapid determination, anionic surfactants, Methylene Blue, chloroform, spectrophotometry, tap water)