Biosurfactants

Biosurfactants are the surfactants of microbial origin. They offer so many advantages over their synthetic counterparts due to their biodegradable and environmental friendly nature, thats why gaining much more attention in creating the era of green technology. Their applications range from cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food processes as emulsifiers, humectants, preservatives, detergents etc. The present review deals with the production, purification, characterization and applications of various fungal biosurfactants. Biosurfactants are structurally and functionally diverse amphiphilic, surface active compounds which lower the surface and interfacial tension between individual molecules at respective surfaces and interfaces. Thus, these are very important in the living systems and can be regarded as the backbone of the biological membranes which promise the transport and exchange of the various important materials. Biosurfactants are ecologically safe and can be applied in bioremediation processes. The microorganisms which produce biosurfactants can also be used in the various bioremediation technologies like solubilisation and removal of oil from contaminated soil, sludge in oil storage tank etc. The most important example of this is in Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) which is an ecofriendly petroleum recovery process

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Last date updated on September, 2024