Amphiphilic molecules of microbial origin classification, characteristics, genetic regulations, and pathways for biosynthesis

Abstract

Amphiphilic molecules with hydrophobic moiety at one end and hydrophilic moiety at the other end possess the ability to reduce the interfacial/surface tension (ST) at a liquid-liquid interface or a gas-liquid interface. In general, synthetic surfactants produced from petroleum feedstock are used in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries as emulsifiers, lubricants, stabilizers, wetting agents, etc. (Banat et al., 2000; Mukherjee et al., 2006). Since they are very harmful to the environment, use of more efficient and ecofriendly surfactants is necessary. Various microorganisms produce such risk-free surface active metabolites known as biosurfactants. When compared to synthetic surfactants, biosurfactants are less toxic, highly biodegradable, and stable at extremes of pH, temperature, and salinity (Mukherjee et al., 2006). Furthermore, microbial surfactants can be produced by using low-cost agro-based raw materials as potential carbon sources. Hence, biosurfactants are considered to have strategic advantages over their chemically synthesized counterparts.