Abstract: The invention relates to chemical-based methods and products for mitigating the impact of an oil spill, that act via mechanisms which include reducing adhesiveness, herding, thickening and gelling. N-fatty acid amino acid (FA-AA) conjugates display oil-herding behavior when formulated as a salt, or the free acid in water-miscible organic solvents. Various salts of FA-AA conjugates are water soluble and can herd oils and increase the thickness of the oil layer. Replacement of the acid group of fatty acid ?-amino acid conjugates with other groups that act as hydrogen bond donors and acceptors results in potent phase selective organo gellants. The oil thickeners or gellants include can be prepared from biobased feedstocks, have low toxicity, high capacity for oil and reduction of the need to use an organic solvent to apply the thickener or gellant to an oil and water mixture in order to gel the oil phase.

Abstract: Chemical-based methods and products for mitigating the impact of an oil spill are disclosed. The products act by herding, thickening, gelling, and reducing adhesiveness. N-fatty acid amino acid (FA-AA) conjugates display oil-herding behavior when formulated as a free acid in water-miscible organic solvents. A water-miscible organic solvent is not required if the FA-AA conjugate is formulated as a salt. Various salts of FA-AA conjugates are water soluble and can herd oils and increase the thickness of the oil layer. Replacement of the acid group of fatty acid ?-amino acid conjugates with other groups that act as hydrogen bond donors and acceptors results in potent phase selective organo-gellants. The oil spill herders can be prepared from bio-based feedstocks and are biodegradable.