Advances in Microbial Biosurfactants: Sustainable Production, Diverse Microorganisms, and Eco-Friendly Substrates
Keywords:
Microbial biosurfactants, sustainable production, eco-friendly surfactants, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, halophilic bacteria , glycolipids, lipopeptides, agro-industrial waste, renewable substrates, metabolic engineeringAbstract
Microbial biosurfactants are eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic surfactants, prized for their biodegradability, low toxicity, and versatile applications in industries like environmental remediation, pharmaceuticals, and food processing. This review explores the diversity of biosurfactant-producing microorganisms, emphasizing key genera such as Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and halophilic bacteria adapted to extreme conditions. It examines major biosurfactant classes—glycolipids, lipopeptides, and polymeric compounds—highlighting their structural and functional properties. The article delves into advanced fermentation strategies, optimization of culture conditions, and cutting-edge metabolic and genetic engineering approaches to boost production yields. Significant focus is placed on using agro-industrial residues and renewable by-products as cost-effective, sustainable substrates, with pretreatment methods like mechanical, chemical, and enzymatic hydrolysis enhancing substrate accessibility. This review underscores the dual benefits of biosurfactant production: promoting environmental sustainability through waste valorization and enabling scalable, green industrial processes. It advocates for integrated strategies combining process optimization, sustainable feedstocks, and life cycle assessments to address production challenges and unlock the transformative potential of biosurfactants for global environmental and industrial solutions.
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