Abstract

Biosurfactant (BS) and bioemulsifier (BE) molecules have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties that partition preferentially at the interface between fluid phases with different degrees of polarity and hydrogen bonding Such as oil/water or air/water interfaces. Such characteristics enable excellent detergency, emulsifying, foaming and dispersing traits. Their low toxicity and environmental friendly nature and range of potential industrial applications in the oil, bioremediation, health care and food processing industries make them a highly sought after group of chemical compounds. Several patents have been issued on BE and BS produced by Acinetobacter spp., Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas spp. and sophorolipid producing yeasts like Candida spp. This review presents the result of a scan and mapping effort for 255 patents granted oil these compounds worldwide highlighting the types of microrganisms, molecules produced, production process and their potential industrial applications.