Process for preparing a surfactant composition based on a glycine betaine ester salt, and composition thus obtained

A process for preparing a surfactant composition, comprising the successive steps consisting in:

• 1) reacting glycine betaine or a salt thereof with a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched fatty alcohol containing from 8 to 24 carbon atoms, in the presence of an organic or inorganic acid;
• 2) cooling the reaction medium to a temperature of from 20 to 90° C.;
• and
• 3) collecting the surfactant composition thus obtained,
• wherein the organic or inorganic acid represents from 1.5 to 2.0 molar equivalents relative to the number of moles of glycine betaine and wherein the reaction is performed at a temperature of from 150 to 180° C.