1.Biodegradable Detergents are those detergents which can be degraded or decomposed by microorganisms present in water.such detergents have straight chain of hydrocarbons in the molecules.e.g.,Sodium lauryl sulphate,sodium dodecyl benzene sulphate.
2.Non-Biodegradables detergents are not degraded by microorganisms. It is observed that bacteria cannot degrade detergents having highly branched hydrocarbon chain.e.g.,sodium4-(1,3,5,7-tetra methyl octyl)benzene sulphonate.