Biosurfactant: Bacterial Production, Properties, Classification and Applications

Abstract

Biosurfactants (BS) are amphiphilic substances that are made by microbes like bacteria which due to their accumulation at the interface  of immiscible liquids (water and oil) lower surface and interfacial tension. These compounds are environmentally benign substitutes for  synthetic surfactants because of their biodegradability, low toxicity, and efficacy in harsh environmental settings. Exploring the taxonomy, characteristics, synthesis, and uses of bacteria that produce biosurfactants is the goal of this review. Based on their chemical  makeup and molecular weight, they are classified including glycolipids, particulate surfactant, surfactin, iturin, polymeric surfactant, fatty  acids, lichenysin and lipopeptides are among the classification. Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Alcanirorax, Rhodococcus, and Candida are some of the most well-known bacterial species that produce biosurfactants. They are used in detoxification of particular pollutant, prosper in  challenging environmental circumstances, enhance the emulsification and solubilization of hydrophobic compounds, making them  valuable in oil recovery and bioremediation. The diverse applications of biosurfactants, ranging from enhanced oil recovery and  detergent formulation, medicine, food processing, pharmaceuticals and agriculture, underscore their industrial significance.