Applications of surfactants produced by bacteria
Keywords:
Surfactants, bacteria, biological detergentsAbstract
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.
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