Medicinal and Cosmetic Potentials of Sophorolipids

Abstract

Sophorolipids, a kind of glycolipids, regarded as the most promising bio-surfactant, are synthesized by a selected number of yeast species. Instead of offering, as an environmental friendly alternative to the petrochemical based surfactants, it also exhibits various bioactivities. Sophorolipids in particular are on the brink of being incorporated into several cosmetic application. The potential of this molecule is also screened in various industries like the cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other medical applications. In this review, our aim is to provide an overview and updates on basic and applied research on Sophorolipid especially in terms of cosmetics and medicinal uses.

Tuning surface-active properties of bio-surfactant sophorolipids by varying fatty-acid chain lengths

“…3). The emulsification property of surface active molecule (surfactant) cannot determined by the surface tension alone; however, other factors like direct interaction of the hydrophobic moiety of the molecule with hydrophobic substrate/s also matter [1,2,10]. Results shown in Fig.…”

“…Sophorolipids are kind of bio-surfactant, which are mainly synthesized by yeasts, such as C. apicola, C. batistae, Candida bombicola, Pichia anomala, Rhodotorula bogoriensis, Starmerella bombicola and Wickerhamiella domericqiae [1]. Chemically, sophorolipids have two components, a hydroxy fatty acid and sophorose (a diglucose), which are condensed by glyosidic bond.…”

“…The sophorose usually have an acetyle group at 6' and/or 6'' positions [2]. Based on selflactonification, sophorolipids are grouped into linear acidic (hydrophilic) and ringed lactonic (hydrophobic) forms [1,2]. The sophorolipids are well recognized for their surface-active properties and commonly known as green surfactant, offered as alternative to petrochemical based surfactants [2].…”

“…These molecules have been widely explored for their bioactivity. Researchers have identified the potential of the sophorolipids, as an alternative to laundry detergents [3], an emulsifier for the food-industry [1], and cosmetic constituent (antimicrobial and emulsifying properties) [1,2]. In spite of all potential, still major applications of sophorolipids are as household/laundry detergents [1,2].…”

“…Researchers have identified the potential of the sophorolipids, as an alternative to laundry detergents [3], an emulsifier for the food-industry [1], and cosmetic constituent (antimicrobial and emulsifying properties) [1,2]. In spite of all potential, still major applications of sophorolipids are as household/laundry detergents [1,2]. Studies argue that the chain lengths of fatty acid are the major determinant of the bioactivity and surface like properties of sophorolipid [2,3].…”