1. sulfonated fatty acids of the form R1???CH(SO4)???COOH and sulfonated methyl esters of the from R1???CH(SO4)???CO???O???CH3, where R1 is a saturated or unsaturated, branched or unbranched alkyl group from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms (e.g., alpha sulphonated coconut fatty acid and lauryl methyl ester);