Enhanced interfacial properties of novel amino acid-derived surfactants: Effects of headgroup chemistry and of alkyl chain length and unsaturation

► Amino acid-derived surfactants: green amphiphiles from renewable sources. ► Synthesis of new surfactants derivatized from serine, tyrosine and hydroxyproline. ► Lower cmc and stronger air-water adsorption than conventional surfactants. ► Effects depend on headgroup chemistry, counterion and unsaturation. ► Potential for biological applications.