Biosurfactants- a current perspective on production and applications

Biosurfactants are surface active compounds produced by a great diversity of microorganisms. They act by lowering the surface tension at the interfaces of solid, liquid and gases. The chemical surfactants that are practiced on a large commercial basis are toxic to the environment and non-biodegradable. These synthetic compounds may bio-accumulate and also their production, processes and by-products causes various environmental hazards. Due to the rising concern of environmental safety, biosurfactants have gained much importance. Biosurfactants are biodegradable, effective under extreme conditions, and are less toxic; which is advantageous in comparison to their chemical counterparts. In-depth studies have been carried out in the final few decades, bringing out their widespread application in different fields. Nevertheless, practical applications of biosurfactants are limited by their high production cost, and less information about their interactions with cells and the abiotic environment. In this paper, we have reviewed the diverse group of organisms that are capable of producing biosurfactants, use of alternative cheap substrates by these organisms to reduce the production cost and their various applications in the field of environmental remediation and petroleum industry.