Novel dextrin derivative surfactants containing a modified glucoside structure have been prepared in which propylene glycol polyglucosides are reacted with a hydrophobic oxirane-containing material of glycidyl ether with C10-C18 carbon atoms. These surfactants exhibit good surface activities, including surface tension, low foaming, and wetting power. These surfactants also have a good ability to improve the whiteness and wetting power of cot-ton fabrics in a hydrogen oxide bleaching system. The benefits of these dextrin derivative surfactants are their highly biodegradable properties, which are lacking in traditional surfactants. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.