Biosurfactants: An alternative to the industrial market

Abstract

The biosurfactants are molecules with surface-active characteristics, in other words, it has the potential to lower the surface tension of liquids, being indicated in various areas of industrial application and oil spill recovery in affected areas.. Through metabolic activities, bacteria and fungi synthesize these amphipathic compounds in the exponential phase of microbial growth, releasing molecules with specific properties according to the type of substrate. Thus, alternatives and biotechnological processes are sought to achieve good yields and at low cost in the obtaining of biosurfactants. The vegetable oils, waste oils from fried foods and organic residues are used for this purpose, presenting important peculiar characteristics to the production of these molecules. Currently over 80% of cleaning products are manufactured with synthetic surfactants from petroleum. The aim of this article was to highlight aspects in the production of biological surfactants and the importance of these to be employed in the industrial market.