Total active substance analysis in accredited laboratories is carried out by alcohol extraction. Total active substances are used in the production of all kinds of cleaning materials and detergents as they are capable of cleaning various surfaces. It is predominantly used in detergent industries but is also present in cosmetic products.

Total active substance determination procedures can be carried out in various stages of production as well as in finished products to prove product safety.

Three different methods are generally used in total active substance analysis:

• The presence of sulfated or non-sulfonated organic substances in the test sample
• Determination of the amount of substance soluble in alcohol
• Determination of the amount of sodium chloride as a percentage.

In the method of searching for sulfated or unsulfonated organic substances in the test sample, it is dissolved by adding purified water to the detergent sample. Ethyl alcohol and petroleum ether are then added to this solution and shaken. Then the other steps in the test method are completed and agriculture is done at the end.

When determining the amount of alcohol soluble, alcohol is added to the detergent sample and evaporated until a dry solution is obtained. After this process is repeated once more steps in the test method is completed and weighing.

In the method of finding the amount of sodium chloride (NaCl) as a percentage, it is necessary to know the amount of chloride in the precipitate obtained by the previous method. The following formula is then applied: Percentage of total active substance + Percentage of sodium chloride = Percentage of soluble substance in alcohol + Percentage of non-sulphated substance.

The standard used in the tests performed in accredited laboratories is as follows:

• TS 518 Synthetic detergents

This standard covers synthetic detergents. This standard does not cover industrial detergents and cleaning agents used for the cleaning of general purpose facilities such as hotels, hospitals, touristic facilities, dormitories and laundries and for the cleaning of dishes and laundry.