Preparation and surface activities of modified gelatin-glucose conjugates

► The gelatin-glucose conjugates I-IV display excellent surface activity properties. ► Increasing the length of the hydrophobic carbon chain resulted in increased foam production and foam stability. ► Compound IV provided the lowest contact angle, making it the best wetting agent. ► The gelatin-glucose conjugates exhibited improved emulsifying and emulsion stabilizing properties. ► Formation of complexes between direct dyes and the gelatin-glucose conjugates resulted in changes in their absorption spectra.