ABSTRACT
There is today a strong trend to replace conventional surfactants with more environmentally benign compounds. Manufacturers and consumers demand for novel environmentally friendly surfactants from renewable resources produced by clean and sustainable technologies (bio-based surfactants). The challenge is to nd molecules that meet the mildness, biodegradability, as well as performance and cost-benet requirements. The use of renewable raw materials such as amino acids and vegetable oil derivatives to prepare novel “natural” surfactants is an exciting and attractive research activity to conciliate the sustainable issues with the industrial development.
