An Overview of Biosurfactants, as Green Alternatives: Exploring Concepts, Production, Applications, and Their Contribution to Sustainable Development

Biosurfactants are surface-active compounds produced by a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. These compounds have gained increasing attention due to their biodegradability, low toxicity, and environmental compatibility compared to synthetic surfactants derived from petrochemicals. Their structural diversity allows for a wide range of applications, including in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, environmental remediation, and petroleum recovery. Moreover, biosurfactants exhibit excellent physicochemical properties such as low critical micelle concentration (CMC), high emulsifying activity, and stability under extreme pH, temperature, and salinity conditions. These features make them suitable for sustainable and large-scale industrial applications. However, challenges remain in terms of large-scale production, purification, and regulatory approval. Key biosurfactant classes include glycolipids, lipopeptides, phospholipids, polymeric bioemulsifiers, and particulate biosurfactants. Advances in microbial fermentation, recombinant DNA technology, and the use of cost-effective substrates—such as agricultural, industrial, and food wastes—have enhanced their production efficiency and reduced costs. This review presents a comprehensive overview of biosurfactants, including their classification, production strategies, physicochemical properties, and applications, while highlighting recent developments aimed at making biosurfactants viable and eco-friendly alternatives to conventional surfactants.

کلیدواژه ها:

Biosurfactants ، Biodegradability ، Sustainable production ، Green surfactants ، Microbial process ، Industrial applications