Characterization and Emulsification Properties of Rhamnolipid and Sophorolipid Biosurfactants and Their Applications

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Thu T. Nguyen¹ 

[1] Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Utah, 50 S Central Campus Drive, MEB 3290, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA

关键词: rhamnolipid biosurfactant;    sophorolipid biosurfactant;    characterization;    microemulsions;    application;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms12021232

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Due to their non-toxic nature, biodegradability and production from renewable resources, research has shown an increasing interest in the use of biosurfactants in a wide variety of applications. This paper reviews the characterization of rhamnolipid and sophorolipid biosurfactants based on their hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity and their ability to form microemulsions with a range of oils without additives. The use of the biosurfactants in applications such as detergency and vegetable oil extraction for biodiesel application is also discussed. Rhamnolipid was found to be a hydrophilic surfactant while sophorolipid was found to be very hydrophobic. Therefore, rhamnolipid and sophorolipid biosurfactants in mixtures showed robust performance in these applications.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.