detergent role A detergent role is a cleaning role of a surface active agent (or a mixture containing one of more surface active agents) having cleaning properties in dilute solution. [IUPAC] detergent role PAC, 1972, 31, 577 (Manual of Symbols and Terminology for Physicochemical Quantities and Units, Appendix II: Definitions, Terminology and Symbols in Colloid and Surface Chemistry) on page 612 detergent cleaning role