The distribution and excretion of non-biodegradable anionic surfactants.

1. The metabolism of potassium 10-undecenyl [35S]sulphate and potassium 10-phenyldecyl [35S]sulphate was investigated in the rat. 2. The major route for elimination of radioactivity following potassium 10-undecenyl [35S]sulphate administration was urinary. With 10-phenyldecyl [35S]sulphate the major route of elimination was biliary. 3. Whole-body radioautography and isolated liver perfusion experiments established that both esters were concentrated in the liver, the major organ of metabolism. 4. Neither surfactant was degraded to short-chain anionic derivatives but both compounds were extensively metabolized.