Tallowamin

Tallowamin, also known as tallow fatty amine oxethylate or tallow amine (the basis is beef tallow), is a non-ionic surfactant and a mixture of acylated amine ethoxylate polymers of different lengths. Tallowamine belongs to the fatty amines. The yellow-brown liquid is easily soluble in ethanol and water. Among others, the substance is used in different compounds in cosmetic products. Furthermore it is used in herbicides.

There are considerable reservations against the use of tallow fatty amine ethoxethylates. Among others, they destroy the cell membranes of the gills of aquatic organisms. In combination with glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) there are synergistic toxic effects on plant and animal cells.

1. Brausch JM et al (2007) Acute and sub-lethal toxicity of three POEA surfactant formulations to Daphnia magna. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 78:510-514.
2. Mottier A et al (2014) Effects of a POEA surfactant system (Genamin T-200(®)) on two life stages of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas. J Toxicol Sci 39:211-215.