Green glycine betaine derivative compounds and compositions containing same

Multifunctional green and antimicrobial compositions are described containing cationic glycine betaine esters and/or cationic glycine betaine amides. Particular glycine betaine esters and amides are alkyl(ene) betainate methane sulfonates and betainyl amino alkyl(ene) methane sulfonates. The glycine betaine components are cationic, have a hydrophobic group attached to a carboxylate group through an ester or amide linkage, and are derived from a natural source, such as sugar beets. The glycine betaine esters and amides serve as cationic surfactants which have effective antimicrobial activity. The surfactant compositions are effective as crude mixtures or semi-purified mixtures or purified surfactant compounds of glycine betaine components. The addition of sodium chloride or potassium chloride or magnesium chloride or natural gum or polysaccharide to compositions containing the cationic glycine betaine ester and/or glycine betaine amide derivatives serves to thicken or gel the composition.