A Review on Biosurfactants and its Environmental Applications

Biosurfactants, derived from biological sources, are widely recognized for their effectiveness as active agents. Among these, glycolipid biosurfactants hold great importance in the field of biotechnology. Various microorganisms, such as Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida sp., have been extensively studied for their ability to produce glycolipid biosurfactants. Microbial biosurfactants offer significant advantages over chemical ones, including biodegradability, renewability, and effectiveness even under harsh conditions. Notably, hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms in oil spill areas were found to produce unexpectedly large quantities of biosurfactants due to their lipid metabolism regulation. At present, biosurfactants play a crucial part in the petroleum industry by facilitating the process of emulsification during the recovery and restoration processes at pollution sites. Additionally, they contribute to heavy metal removal in metallurgical industries. This paper provides an overview of the screening of microorganisms that produce biosurfactants, the production methods, and factors influencing biosurfactant production. The review sheds light on the significant role of biosurfactants in environmental cleaning.