BRISBANE, Australia, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Australian scientists have developed a "switchable" detergent that can be used for several other applications, such as a non-irritating eye rinse.
The unusual product is a biological detergent or surfactant its inventors call a "pepfactant" because it is made from peptides.
The inventors -- biochemist Annette Dexter and Professor Anton Middleberg of the University of Queensland's Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology -- said the unique aspect of pepfactants is that it can be switched on or off, depending on its intended application.
For example, in laundry detergents there's a built-in pH change that occurs between the wash and rinse cycles. Pepfactants designed to respond to that change could be added to the detergent to reduce the rinse time.
Although some commercial interest has been shown by detergent manufacturers, Dexter believes the more near-term application might develop in the personal care area, such as a shampoo, conditioner, skin cream or hand wash. There also could be potential applications for eye drops, she added.
The research was presented this week in Boston during the national meeting of the American Chemical Society.
