Biosurfactants Produced by Marine Microorganisms with Therapeutic Applications

Abstract

Marine microorganisms possess unique metabolic and physiological features and are an important source of new biomolecules, such as biosurfactants. Some of these surface-active compounds synthesized by marine microorganisms exhibit antimicrobial, anti-adhesive and anti-biofilm activity against a broad spectrum of human pathogens (including multi-drug resistant pathogens), and could be used instead of existing drugs to treat infections caused by them. In other cases, these biosurfactants show anti-cancer activity, which could be envisaged as an alternative to conventional therapies. However, marine biosurfactants have not been widely explored, mainly due to the difficulties associated with the isolation and growth of their producing microorganisms. Culture-independent techniques (metagenomics) constitute a promising approach to study the genetic resources of otherwise inaccessible marine microorganisms without the requirement of culturing them, and can contribute to the discovery of novel biosurfactants with significant biological activities. This paper reviews the most relevant biosurfactants produced by marine microorganisms with potential therapeutic applications and discusses future perspectives and opportunities to discover novel molecules from marine environments.

Statistical Design, a Powerful Tool for Optimizing Biosurfactant Production: A Review

“…Although they present similar properties to synthetic surfactants they are generally less toxic (with the exception of those presenting antibiotic activity), stable under extreme conditions, they are also biodegradable, and thus, are environmentally friendly [6,7]. Bs are classified into peptides, glycolipids, lipopeptides, fatty acids, phospholipids, and high molecular weight biosurfactants like polymeric biosurfactants [1,8].…”

Free Marine Natural Products Databases for Biotechnology and Bioengineering

“…MNP research for bioactive compounds is very fruitful and from 1985 to 2012 at least 4196 bioactive compounds were described . Bioactive MNPs can present properties such as anticancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti‐Alzheimer, anti‐inflammatory, drug delivery, and biosurfactants . This success determines the high demand for MNPs in pharmaceutical sciences.…”

“…[4] Bioactive MNPs can present properties [52][53][54] such as anticancer, [55][56][57][58] antimicrobial, [59,60] antiviral, [61] anti-Alzheimer, [62] anti-inflammatory, [63,64] drug delivery, [65] and biosurfactants. [66] This success determines the high demand for MNPs in pharmaceutical sciences.…”

Gate‐to‐gate life cycle assessment of biosurfactants and bioplasticizers production via biotechnological exploitation of fats and waste oils

“…2,3 Bio-based chemicals and materials, produced by biocatalysts such as yeast, bacteria and fungi, have the advantages of being biodegradable, biocompatible and environmentally friendlier than their fossil fuel-derived counterparts. 5,[10][11][12][13][14] Their global market by revenue is projected to reach $2477.4 million by 2020, compared with $1870.1 million in 2013, witnessing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1%. Biotechnological production of biosurfactants is such an example.…”