Abstract: The invention relates to gemini surfactants of formula IA wherein A is a core derived from an organic polyhydroxy compound; R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrophobic group; and R3 and R4 are each independently a surfactant head group. Such surfactants can be used as components of fluids used in the petroleum industry or used in formulating cleansing compositions or detergent compositions.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter, in one aspect, relates to compounds and compositions {e.g., polysaccharides and polysaccharide complexes) and methods for providing and using such compounds and compositions. Disclosed are compositions comprising a polysaccharide or polysaccharide complex obtained from Chlorella, wherein the polysaccharide or polysaccharide complex has a molecular weight of from about 1×103 to about 1×106 Da. Also disclosed are methods of providing a polysaccharide or polysaccharide complex, comprising the steps of providing a Chlorella extract, contacting the extract with a solvent to provide a precipitate, contacting the precipitate with additional substances {e.g., a surfactant) and isolating an insoluble fraction, and size fractioning the insoluble fraction, thereby providing the polysaccharide or polysaccharide complex. Disclosed are also methods for using the disclosed polysaccharide and polysaccharide compositions.