Sodium or potassium salts of long chain fatty acids. These detergent substances are obtained by boiling natural oils or fats with caustic alkali. Sodium soaps are harder and are used as topical anti-infectives and vehicles in pills and liniments; potassium soaps are soft, used as vehicles for ointments and also as topical antimicrobials.
Entry Term(s)
Soap Solution
Registry Numbers
0
NLM Classification #
QV 233
Public MeSH Note
1991; see SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENTS 1981-1990; was heading 1963-1980
History Note
1991(1963); use SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENTS 1981-1990; was heading 1963-1980
Sodium or potassium salts of long chain fatty acids. These detergent substances are obtained by boiling natural oils or fats with caustic alkali. Sodium soaps are harder and are used as topical anti-infectives and vehicles in pills and liniments; potassium soaps are soft, used as vehicles for ointments and also as topical antimicrobials.
