The Distribution and Excretion of Non-Biodegradable Anionic Surfactants

Abstract

1. The metabolism of potassium 10-undecenyl [³S]sulphate and potassium 10-phenyldecyl [³⁵S]sulphate was investigated in the rat.

2. The major route for elimination of radioactivity following potassium 10-undecenyl [³⁵S]sulphate administration was urinary. With 10-phenyldecyl [³⁵S]sulphate the major route of elimination was biliary.

3. Whole-body radioautography and isolated liver perfusion experiments established that both esters were concentrated in the liver, the major organ of metabolism.

4. Neither surfactant was degraded to short-chain anionic derivatives but both compounds were extensively metabolized.