Microbial Conversion of Waste and Surplus Materials into High-Value Added Products: The Case of Biosurfactants

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

“…However, as the world population continues to grow energy demands increase and the amount of fossil fuels is expected to fall short of requirements in the near future. [4][5][6] Microbial biosurfactants are amphiphilic molecules, comprised of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties, that have the ability to reduce surface and interfacial tension. 1 Current policies and legislation promote the exploitation of such side streams in order to make a successfull transition from petrochemical complexes to biorefineries that would have huge environmental and societal benefits.…”

“…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.…”

“…Their triglycerides, consisting of fatty acids, can be used as precursors by several microorganisms or as initial reactants in lipase-catalyzed processes for biosurfactants' production. [4][5][6] Microbial biosurfactants are amphiphilic molecules, comprised of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties, that have the ability to reduce surface and interfacial tension. Several bacteria produce them as a key mechanism to facilitate hydrocarbon uptake through micelle solubilization or pseudosolubilization.…”

“…9,10 Based on those features, their applications are quite diverse including their use in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, bioremediation, toiletries and household cleanup. 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%. 15 According to IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) a substance is defined as a plasticizer if, when incorporated in a plastic material, it enhances its flexibility and processability due to its effect in reducing the second-order transition temperature and the glass transition temperature (Tg).…”

Using Corn Husk Powder as a Novel Substrate to Produce a Surface Active Compound from Labrenzia aggregate KP‐5

“…(Liu et al, 2017;Santos et al, 2016;Varjani & Upasani, 2017). In the past few decades, SAC have been widely studied due to their practically functional properties such as low toxicity, environmentally friendly, wetting, foaming, solubilization, biodegradability, and ability to be produced from renewable, by-product, or low-cost substrates (Kourmentza, Freitas, Alves, & Reis, 2017;Santos et al, 2016;Satpute et al, 2016). Presently, SAC are applied in several industries including food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical formulations, agriculture, petroleum industry, special chemical substances, cleansers, and bioremediation of pollutants (Liu et al, 2017;Santos et al, 2016;Sharma, Oberoi, et al, 2017;Varjani & Upasani, 2017).…”