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Sodium dodecyl sulfate

(Science: chemical) An anionic surfactant, usually a mixture of sodium alkyl sulfates, mainly the lauryl; lowers surface tension of aqueous solutions; used as fat emulsifier, wetting agent, detergent in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and toothpastes; also as research tool in protein biochemistry.

Pharmacological action: surface-active agent.

chemical name: sulfuric acid monododecyl ester sodium salt

sds is a detergent which denatures bacterial proteins and disrupts cell membrane.