Micellization and Related Behaviours of Polyoxyethylene-Type Non-ionic Surfactants on Root Elongation of Allium cepa L.

Abstract

In this study, polyoxyethylenated fatty alcohol ether (POE) nonionic surfactants polyoxyethylene (23) lauryl ether (C₁₂E₂₃) (Brij 35); polyoxyethylene (10) cetyl ether (C₁₆E₁₀) (Brij 56); polyoxyethylene (10) stearyl ether (C₁₈E₁₀) (Brij 76); polyoxyethylene (10) lauryl ether (C₁₂E₁₀) (POE 10). A large proportion nonionic surfactants are made hydrophilic by the presence of a polyethylene glycol chain obtained by the polycondensation of ethylene oxide. They are called polyethoxylated nonionics. In this study the effects of polyoxyethylene-type nonionic surfactants on root elongation of Allium cepa L. were determined for a week under laboratory conditions in the concentration ranges of 5.00, 2.50 and 1.25 g/L (w/v) at 16 ± 0.5 ºC. It was determined that the stimulatory effect on root elongation becomes stronger when the number of ethylene oxide group (C₂H₄O) was increased in the POE surfactant. The stimulatory effect decreases in the order C₁₈E₁₀ > C₁₆E₁₀ > C₁₂E₂₃ > C₁₂E₁₀ due to the decreasing of the number hydrocarbons in the series.