Carbohydrate-Based Amphiphiles: Resource for Bio-based Surfactants

Abstract : Carbohydrates are a family of biomolecules, ubiquitous in Nature, based on a common polyhydoxylated backbone though varying in size (from small molecules to macromolecules), in fine structure (configuration and functionalization), and possessing a wide range of biological properties and roles making them indispensable to life. Amphiphiles are molecular architectures with parts exhibiting different types of polarity, generally including hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups. Surfactants are molecules possessing the ability to modulate interfacial tension, notably water surface tension. Bio-based chemicals are chemical products which are obtained by transformation of a starting material arising from biomass, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, terpenes.