Production of biosurfactants using eco-friendly microorganisms

Abstract

Pathogenicity of biosurfactant- producing microorganisms is currently raising some health, safety and environmental concerns. As a result, the industrial-scale production and application of biosurfactants as potential alternatives to the synthetic one is still an unachieved task. The production of biosurfactants using nonpathogenic/recombinant strains requires more attention and investigation for some advantages that includes the discovery of non-toxic biosurfactants suitable for all industrial applications, identifying new biosurfactant congeners with better inherent surfaceactive properties compared to that from pathogens and synthetic ones and the synthesis of biosurfactant without complex metabolic regulations. Although a number of nonpathogenic/recombinant, eco-friendly biosurfactant- producing strains have been documented, there is need for more research in this area focusing especially on improved biosurfactant production by these strains using optimisation processes and the discovery of new nonpathogenic/recombinant strains using molecular techniques for future sustainability.