Amino acid-based surfactants: sustainable synthesis and antimicrobial mechanisms

Antimicrobial therapy is becoming increasingly ineffective over infections due to the gradual microbial resistance to conventional treatments. This aspect highlights the urgent need for the development of new antimicrobial agents. In this context, the amino acid-derived surfactants have proven to be a promising alternative to eradicate numerous microorganisms and their biofilms. The antimicrobial action of these agents can be explained by their amphiphilic structure, a configuration that allows interactions with structural components, such as the microorganism membranes and extracellular matrices of biofilms, promoting destructive effects on the cellular integrity and microbial vital processes. In addition, these surfactants can be easily synthesized using green chemistry principles, are biodegradable and more biocompatible than commercial quaternary ammonium surfactants. This paper aimed to elucidate the relevance of amino acid-derived surfactants with antimicrobial properties, presenting their structural compositions and connecting to the novel evidences on their mechanism of action. An integrative review was conducted, drawing upon findings from scientific articles published in the last 20 years (between 2005 and 2025), exclusively in English, retrieved from the PubMed database. This research employs a qualitative approach, adopting a basic research design with descriptive objectives, using a bibliographic method to explore the topic. The results indicate that the search for new amino acid-derived surfactants with antimicrobial activity has gradually grown over the last years. These molecules have shown promising characteristics, singular structures leading to innovative mechanisms of action, capable of overcoming the defenses of resistant microorganisms. In conclusion, the ability of these compounds to inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi has been demonstrated, offering an effective approach to prevent and combat the spread of infections, especially in the context of microbial resistance.