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Biosurfactant production by microorganisms on unconventional carbon sources

  • Review
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Journal of Surfactants and Detergents

Abstract

In recent years natural biosurfactants have attracted attention because of their low toxicity, biodegradability, and ecological acceptability. However, for reasons of functionality and production cost, they are not competitive with chemical surfactants. Use of inexpensive substrates can drastically decrease the production cost of biosurfactants. This review describes the use of unconventional carbon sources for biosurfactant production. These sources include urban as well as agroindustrial wastes. With suitable engineering and microbiological modifications, these wastes can be used as substrates for large-scale production of biosurfactants.

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Author notes

  1. Randhir S. Makkar

    Present address: National Food Research Institute, 305, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India

    Randhir S. Makkar & Swaranjit S. Cameotra

Authors
  1. Randhir S. Makkar
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  2. Swaranjit S. Cameotra
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Correspondence to Swaranjit S. Cameotra.

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Makkar, R.S., Cameotra, S.S. Biosurfactant production by microorganisms on unconventional carbon sources. J Surfact Deterg 2, 237–241 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11743-999-0078-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11743-999-0078-3

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