Gemini surfactants from natural amino acids.
In this review, we report the most important contributions in the structure, synthesis, physicochemical (surface adsorption, aggregation and phase behaviour) and biological properties (toxicity, antimicrobial activity and biodegradation) of Gemini natural amino acid-based surfactants, and some potential applications, with an emphasis on the use of these surfactants as non-viral delivery system agents. Gemini surfactants derived from basic (Arg, Lys), neutral (Ser, Ala, Sar), acid (Asp) and sulphur containing amino acids (Cys) as polar head groups, and Geminis with amino acids/peptides in the spacer chain are reviewed.
Instituto de Química Avanzada de Cataluña, CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08008 Barcelona, Spain.
Lourdes
L
Pérez
Instituto de Química Avanzada de Cataluña, CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08008 Barcelona, Spain.
Aurora
A
Pinazo
Instituto de Química Avanzada de Cataluña, CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08008 Barcelona, Spain.
Ramon
R
Pons
Instituto de Química Avanzada de Cataluña, CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08008 Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: rosa.infante@iqac.csic.es.
Mrosa
M
Infante
D000327:Adsorption; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000737:chemistry*; D064248:Geminin; D006801:Humans; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*
D000596:Amino Acids; D001688:Biological Products; D064248:Geminin; D013501:Surface-Active Agents
Aggregation; Delivery systems; Gemini surfactants; Natural amino acid-based surfactants; Toxicity