An Overview of Classification, Production and Biomedical Applications of Biosurfactants

Surfactants of microbial origin referred as biosurfactants, have potential uses in several industries like petrochemical, cosmetics, soap/detergent, pharmaceutical, food, beverage, textile, mining processes, applications in crude oil recovery and bioremediation of contaminated sites. Biosurfactants have several advantages over the chemical surfactant, such as higher biodegradability, lower toxicity, better environmental compatibility, high foaming, high selectivity and specific activity at extreme temperature, pH, salinity and ability to synthesize from renewable feed stock. This review highlights the classification, production and various biomedical applications of biosurfactants.