A water-soluble or water-dispersible, non-ionic surface active compound has the formulaZNHQNHZ (I)whereineach Z independently is a polysaccharide group linked to the remainder of the molecule through one of its ketone groups; and,Q together with the two NH groups to which it is attached represents the atoms necessary to complete a polyalkyleneamine unit wherein at least one of the amine nitrogen atoms has a hydrophobic, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group linked thereto. Such surfactants can be used in hydrophilic colloid compositions in the manufacture of photographic materials.