Process Development in Biosurfactant Production

Overview

Journal Adv Biochem Eng Biotechnol

Specialties Biochemistry
Biotechnology

Date 2022 Mar 5

PMID 35246695

Authors

Robert W M Pott

Janis Von Johannides

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Biosurfactants encompass a number of structurally and chemically diverse compounds, all of which demonstrate surface active properties. The potential and current application of these compounds ranges from enhanced oil recovery, through detergents, emulsifiers in foods, antifungal agents, antibiotics, and even to uses in the minerals processing industry. And while the market demand for these products is growing, the industry still is significantly smaller than the synthetic surfactants market. Part of the reason for this is that biosurfactants are currently comparatively expensive to produce. This article reviews the process consideration steps required to develop a biosurfactant bioprocess (organism selection and modification, reactor type and operation, media, downstream processing, and final use) and considers the state of the art of each process step, with an eye to considering the overall process development, and establishment of both technically and economically viable routes to production.

Citing Articles

Bioprocess development for microbial production and purification of cellobiose lipids by the smut fungus Ustilago maydis DSM 4500.

Valkenburg A, Teke G, van Rensburg E, Pott R Bioprocess Biosyst Eng. 2025; 48(3):509-520.

PMID: 39789269 PMC: 11865158. DOI: 10.1007/s00449-025-03127-3.

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