Recent studies show strong influence of the dilational surface rheological properties on the stability and dynamics of foam and emulsions. On the other hand, the dilational dynamic surface elasticity proved to be highly sensitive to conformational transitions of macromolecules at fluid-fluid interfaces and can be used to investigate the adsorption mechanism and aggregate formation in the surface layer. The intention of this review consists in the discussion of recent progress in the dialtional surface rheology of solutions of non-ionic homopolymers, block copolymers, polyelectrolytes, polyelectrolyte/surfactant and protein/surfactant complexes. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.