Biodegradable detergents: Detergents which are decomposed by microorganisms present in the environment are called biodegradable detergents. These detergents have linear alkyl chains. Sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate are examples of biodegradable detergents.
Non-biodegradable detergents: are those which are not degraded by microorganisms. Such detergents cause an environmental problem. It is observed that such detergents contain branched chain which is not attacked by bacteria. Example of non-biodegradable detergents is given below :
