

Detergents that can be degraded by bacteria are biodegradable detergents. These detergents have linear hydrocarbon chains. Example - sodium lauryl sulphate
Detergents which cannot be degraded by bacteria are called non-biodegradable detergents. These detergents have highly-branched hydrocarbon structure. Example - sodium -4- (1, 3, 5, 7- tetra methyl octyl) benzene sulphonate.
