Because its hydrophilic head is a sugar ring joined by an acetal linkage rather than an ethylene oxide chain. Conventional non-ionic ethoxylates depend on hydrogen bonding between that chain and water, and in strong caustic or at elevated temperature they salt out and separate. The sugar head is not temperature-sensitive in the same way and is stable to alkali, so APG stays dissolved and working.
2
What is a cloud point and why does APG not have one?
A cloud point is the temperature at which an ethoxylated non-ionic surfactant loses its water solubility and the solution goes turbid, because the ethylene oxide chain dehydrates on warming. APG does not behave that way, since its solubility comes from a sugar ring rather than a hydrated ether chain, so it remains soluble across the practical temperature range.
3
What does APG contribute in a personal care formulation?
Mildness and foam. It is very low in skin and eye irritation, and although it foams only moderately alone, it boosts and stabilises the foam of anionic surfactants when blended with them. Being fully plant-derived from glucose and a coconut or palm kernel fatty alcohol, it also suits natural and ecolabel positioning.
4
Does APG carry 1,4-dioxane residues?
No, because there is no ethoxylation step in its manufacture. 1,4-dioxane arises as a by-product when ethylene oxide is used, which is why it is a specification concern for ethoxylated surfactants such as SLES. APG is made by reacting glucose with a fatty alcohol, so the question does not arise.
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