Phase Behaviour, Functionality, and Physicochemical Characteristics of Glycolipid Surfactants of Microbial Origin

Growing demand for biosurfactants as environmentally friendly counterparts of chemically derived surfactants enhances the extensive search for surface-active compounds of biological (microbial) origin. The understanding of the physicochemical properties of biosurfactants such as surface tension reduction, dispersion, emulsifying, foaming or micelle formation is essential for the successful application of biosurfactants in many branches of industry. Glycolipids, which belong to the class of low molecular weight surfactants are currently gaining a lot of interest for industrial applications. For this reason, we focus mainly on this class of biosurfactants with particular emphasis on rhamnolipids and sophorolipids, the most studied of the glycolipids.

Automated summary

Growing demand for environmentally friendly biosurfactants has led to an extensive search for microbial surfactants. Understanding the physicochemical properties of biosurfactants, such as surface tension reduction and emulsifying ability, is crucial for their successful application in various industries. Among the low molecular weight surfactants, glycolipids, particularly rhamnolipids and sophorolipids, have attracted significant attention for industrial applications.