Surfactants, short for surface-active agents, play a vital role in various industries. These compounds have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) regions, allowing them to reduce surface tension between different phases like oil and water. This property makes surfactants essential in products ranging from detergents and soaps to pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food, facilitating emulsification, foaming, and wetting.
