CLASSIFICATION AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS OF BIOSURFACTANTS

The word “surfactant” is derived from the term "surface active agent". Chemically synthesized surfactants are widely used in many industries such as pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industry but are expensive and toxic in many aspects that is why biologically produced biosurfactants replace the use of surfactants. Biosurfactant have gained importance in different fields owing to various properties such as higher bio-degradability and lower toxicity. Here we are focusing on the types and applications of biosurfactants in various industries, as environmental compatibility becoming an increasingly important factor in the selection of industrial chemicals and the use of biosurfactants is increasing. Biosurfactants are classified into high molecular weight and low molecular weight molecules categories. Low-mass surfactants include glycolipids, lipopeptides and phospholipids, whereas high-mass surfactants include polymeric and particulate surfactants. Biosurfactants are utilized in the fields of cosmetic industry, food processing, pharmaceuticals and environmental bio-remediation particularly in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and cleaning of oil spills. Many kinds of surfactant are already being used in industry but it is important to develop indigenous technology for the production of biosurfactants produced by the microorganisms of local origin which would be more suitable for the application to that specific environment. There is also room for the search of even more new compounds to broaden the spectrum of specific properties and applications of the biosurfactants.