Surfactants Derived from Amino Acids

Abstract

Acylamino acid is a surfactant comprised of fatty acid and amino acids. There are several natural acylamino acids present as components in living tissuue and the research of acylamino acid started from biological interest. Acylglutamate is the first surfactant utilizing natural amino acid and is being actively sold as mild cleansing product due to its extreame mildness to the skin.
Mild and environmentally gentle surfactants are eagerly being sought at present and this has led to increased demand for various acylamino acids.
The properties and applications of various acylamino acids are explained and breaf introduction is made for other surfactants derived from amino acids.