| abstract |
As non-ionic surface active agents are generally low in toxicity they are commonly used as additives in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, foodstuffs, etc. However, non-ionic surface active agents which exhibit antimicrobial action or rust-inhibiting property have not hitherto been known. The present invention uses hydroxy-fatty acid amide polyoxyalkylene ether, as the active ingredients. As this substance is superior in antimicrobial action and rust-inhibiting property, the surface active agents manufactured according to the present invention exhibit not only the superior properties inherent in the conventional surface active agents, e.g., emulsifying and dispersing power, but also superior rust-inhibiting property and antimicrobial action. Further, if metal soap is added to the surface active agents, the aforementioned properties become more conspicuous. |