Soforolipids: Synthesis, applications and challenges for the development of a more sustainable economy

Sophorolipids are surfactant glycolipids produced through fermentative processes by some yeasts, characterized as substances composed of a dimeric sugar (sophorose) linked to a hydroxylated fatty acid. The surfactant properties of sophorolipids (biosurfactants) have aroused industrial interest, sinc...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Cadorin, Glauber, Tschurtschenthaler Costa, Jairo, Mauri da Cunha, Marcelo, de Souza Barros, Mariana, Pelegrino Vieira, Dirceu, Souza, André
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:Brasil
Institución:Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Catarinense (IFC)
Repositorio:Metodologias e Aprendizado
Idioma:portugués
OAI Identifier:oai:ojs2.publicacoes.ifc.edu.br:article/1741
Acceso en línea:https://publicacoes.ifc.edu.br/index.php/metapre/article/view/1741
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Biodegradabilidade
Biosurfactantes
Leveduras
Biodegradability
Biosurfactants
Yeast
Biodegradabilidad
Levadura
Descripción
Sumario:Sophorolipids are surfactant glycolipids produced through fermentative processes by some yeasts, characterized as substances composed of a dimeric sugar (sophorose) linked to a hydroxylated fatty acid. The surfactant properties of sophorolipids (biosurfactants) have aroused industrial interest, since most of the surfactants used in the industry are from petroleum made by chemical synthesis, presenting manufacturing processes and byproducts harmful to the environment. Biosurfactants, on the other hand, have high biodegradability, low toxicity and the ability to be produced by using low-cost and renewable substrates. Thus, biocompounds obtained by living organisms have many applications in several economic sectors. Sophorolipids can be used in the formulation of laundry detergents, in the recovery of soil and contaminated water. They also have potential applications in the food and cosmetic industries, because it has good compatibility with the skin. Regarding the metabolic pathways involved in the synthesis of biosurfactants, these depend on the nature of the substrate used. Despite the wide applicability of biosurfactants, there are some negative factors associated with their production, among them: high cost of large-scale production, difficulty in obtaining pure substances, need to formulate complex culture media, little knowledge about the regulation of synthesis of biosurfactants and foaming, preventing production yield and hindering the fermentation process. This brings the need for the development of studies to enable and intensify the use of these substances in substitution to synthetic compounds, contributing to a more sustainable economy.