Cocamidopropyl Betaine - CAPB 30

Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB-30) is a viscous, pale-yellow solution composed of organic compounds derived from coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine. It is widely used as a surfactant in personal care products and animal husbandry applications.

CAPB functions as a foam booster in shampoos and is a medium-strength surfactant commonly found in bath products like hand soaps. It also serves as an emulsifying agent and thickener in cosmetics, helping to reduce irritation caused by purely ionic surfactants. Additionally, CAPB acts as an antistatic agent in hair conditioners and is generally gentle on skin and mucous membranes, although some studies have reported allergenic potential.

CAPB is produced by reacting dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA) with fatty acids obtained from coconut or palm kernel oil. The primary amine in DMAPA reacts selectively to form an amide, followed by reaction with chloroacetic acid to create a quaternary ammonium center. This chemical structure makes CAPB a zwitterion, containing both a quaternary ammonium cation and a carboxylate group.

Chemical Nature : Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid amide with a long hydrocarbon chain at one end and a polar group at the other, which enables it to function effectively as both a surfactant and detergent.