Surface Active Agents from Microbes-Applications and Advantages

Biosurfactants are technically important because they present a much broader range of surfactant types and properties than the available synthetic surfactants. They are produced mainly when microorganisms grow on hydrocarbon or a mixed feed containing carbohydrates and hydrocarbons/fatty oils. The production of these surface active agents is stimulated in conditions of nitrogen/amino acid starvation or in the Presence of protein synthesis inhibitors. The structure of many biosurfactants are not yet fully established, but in general, they contain lipid moieties, alongwith carbohydrate and/or peptide. Biosurfactants are superior to the conventional surfactants in many ways such as better activity, lower toxicity and biodegradability. At Present, uses of biosurfactants in oil spill management, enhanced oil recovery, oil and coal slurry transportation, metal recovery, paints, cosmetics, detergents and pharmaceuticals are being investigated.