Biosurfactants: Promising Biomolecules for Agricultural Applications

Abstract

Population growth and the need for increased agricultural productivity pose a global problem. Therefore, the development of green compounds to ensure agricultural sustainability becomes an urgent necessity. Surfactant compounds hold significant commercial importance due to their diverse industrial uses. However, the synthetic origin of these agents limits their commercial application due to their toxicity. As a result, extensive research has focused on the production of microbial-originated green surfactants, known as biosurfactants, over the past fifteen years. These biomolecules not only offer a green alternative for agriculture but also exhibit reduced toxicity and excellent stability under specific environmental conditions. Biosurfactants can lower surface tension more effectively than synthetic surfactants. With properties such as detergency and foam formation, biosurfactants are suitable for various agricultural applications, particularly in pesticide and agrochemical formulations. They can function as biopesticides to manage pests, pathogens, phytopathogenic fungi, and weeds due to their antimicrobial activity. Moreover, plants can benefit from biosurfactant molecules and the microorganisms as nutrients. They can also aid efficiently in the distribution of micronutrients and metals in the soil. They also stimulate plant immunity and are utilized for soil hydrophilization to ensure proper moisture levels and uniform fertilizer distribution. This review aims to provide valuable insights into the role and properties of biosurfactants as agricultural adjuvants, fostering the development of sustainable formulations to replace chemical surfactants used in pesticides.

Advancements in biosurfactant production using agro-industrial waste for industrial and environmental applications

“…Here, the culture medium needs to be more selective in its production of the target goods, not the unwanted ones. The ideal incubation medium would not only be easily sterilizable, but also 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1357302 Frontiers in Microbiology 10 frontiersin.org provide a value product with a long shelf life, be able to adapt to various growing settings, and not produce any toxic waste (Silva et al, 2023). The future advancements in biosurfactants show great potential and encompass several significant domains.…”