Applications of surfactants produced by bacteria

Authors

  • Luis Alfonso Cruz Acevedo Departamento de Bioprocesos, UPIBI-IPN, Ciudad de México, México.
  • Eric Pascal Houbron Laboratorio de Gestión y Control de la Contaminación Ambiental. FCQ, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, México.
  • Michel de la Cruz Canul Chan Laboratorio de Gestión y Control de la Contaminación Ambiental. FCQ, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, México.

Keywords:

Surfactants, bacteria, biological detergents

Abstract

Surfactants are molecules used in cleaning products because of their ability to remove grease and hydrophobic contaminant making them part of everyday detergents. However, many are produced from petroleum-derived compounds, and made cause environmental impacts, such as proliferation of algae and bacteria in aquatic ecosystems as well as greenhouse gases emissions. For this reason, biosurfactants produced by living organisms such as bacteria can be considered an alternative to conventional surfactants, since they possess similar properties. In addition, they are biodegradable, biocompatible, and environmentally friendly. Their main applications include contribution to the removal of pollutants from water and soil.

References

Melikoglu, M. (2025). Biosurfactants for enhanced oil recovery and bioremediation in the modern petroleum industry: A global review. JCIS Open, 100168. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jciso.2025.100168.

V Nagtode, V. S., Cardoza, C., Yasin, H. K. A., Mali, S. N., Tambe, S. M., Roy, P., ... & Pratap, A. P. (2023). Green surfactants (biosurfactants): a petroleum-free substitute for sustainability─ comparison, applications, market, and future prospects. ACS omega, 8(13), 11674-11699. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c00591.

Shah, S. K., Bhattarai, A., & Chatterjee, S. K. (2013). Applications of surfactants in modern science and technology. Modern Trends Sci Technol, 147-58.

Premathilake, D. S., Silva, A. A. M. P., Illankoon, W. A. M. A. N., Rosatelli, A., Beltrametti, F., Bava, A., ... & Vaccari, M. (2026). Environmental, Economic, and Social Trade-Offs in Biochar and Biosurfactant-Based Soil Remediation: A Critical Review Based on Mass Flow Analysis. Energy Nexus, 100644. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2026.100644.

Hsu, C. Y., Mahmoud, Z. H., Hussein, U. A. R., Abduvalieva, D., Alsultany, F. H., & Kianfar, E. (2025). Biosurfactants: Properties, applications and emerging trends. South African Journal of Chemical Engineering, 53(1), 21-39. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajce.2025.04.002.

Cui, J., & Dörmann, P. (2025). Microbial degradation of hydrocarbons from petroleum assisted by biosurfactants: pathways and bioremediation potential. Biochimie.https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biochi.2025.09.011.

Published

2026-06-24

How to Cite

Cruz Acevedo, L. A., Houbron, E. P., & Canul Chan, M. de la C. (2026). Applications of surfactants produced by bacteria. Revista De divulgación científica IBIO, 8(3), 341. Retrieved from http://revistaibio.com/ojs33/index.php/main/article/view/341

Issue

Section

How does it work?