Bio-based surfactants: enzymatic functionalization and production from renewable resources

Bio-based surfactants produced from renewable resources are increasing in market demand. In this review, we focus on enzymatic functionalization and coupling of carbohydrate-based heads to fatty aliphatic chains as tails for the synthesis of bio-based surfactants. We point to concrete examples of how transferase, lipase, and glycoside hydrolase-catalyzed esterification or glycoside formation can link a variety of mono-and oligosaccharides with fatty acids. Similarly, enzymatic reductive amination also leads to coupling. Another approach for surfactant synthesis is enzymatic carbohydrate functionalization before click chemistry coupling, and here LPMOs, oxidases, and dehydrogenases are relevant. C6 or C1-oxidizing activities are particularly important for converting nonionic surfactants into highly demanded anionic counterparts.

Automated summary

This review focuses on enzymatic functionalization and coupling methods for the synthesis of bio-based surfactants from renewable resources. It highlights specific examples of enzymatic reactions, such as transferase, lipase, and glycoside hydrolase-catalyzed esterification or glycoside formation, to link mono- and oligosaccharides with fatty acids. The review also mentions enzymatic carbohydrate functionalization before click chemistry coupling, with relevant enzymes such as LPMOs, oxidases, and dehydrogenases. The importance of C6 or C1-oxidizing activities for converting nonionic surfactants into anionic counterparts is emphasized.