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Natural Surfactants
Science, Technology, and Industrial Aspects

Guido Bognolo (Author), Krister Holmberg (Author)

9781394283781, Wiley

Hardback, published 26 March 2026

304 pages
25.3 x 17.7 x 1.5 cm, 0.68 kg

Comprehensive guide to the fundamentals and growing range of commercial applications of natural surfactants

Natural Surfactants: Science, Technology, and Industrial Aspects discusses the origin, production, physico-chemical properties, major producers, status, and opportunities of natural surfactants from macro- and microorganisms. The book presents the latest research in the field of natural surfactants, reviewing their advantages, current and future applications based on structure-performance relationships, and commercial uses in diverse industries including vaccines, food emulsifiers, feed additives, personal care formulations, pharmaceuticals, crop protection formulations, soil remediation and microbial enhanced oil recovery.

The book contains introductory sections on each of the major classes of natural surfactants with each section broken down into subchapters discussing their biochemical and commercial features. It has a chapter on the analytical techniques used for the characterisation of natural surfactants and their producing microorganisms. It closes with a chapter on future perspectives, discussing hurdles and opportunities for natural surfactants.

Authored by experts in the field of surfactant science with experience in both academic research and industrial practices, Natural Surfactants includes information on:

  • The chemical structure and the physicochemical properties
  • The biological activity
  • The production process, including, as appropriate, extraction or fermentation strategies and conditions, microorganism strains, medium composition, and purification techniques
  • The economics of production for the major classes
  • A comprehensive review of the existing industrial uses and of the potential new applications as it can be inferred from the match of physicochemical properties and market demands.

Natural Surfactants contains essential knowledge on the subject for academic researchers and industry practitioners working in the field of surfactant science. The text is also valuable for universities, research institutes, and regional and multinational companies active in surfactants production and/or in their formulation.

Preface xi

Acronyms xv

1 General Views on Natural Surfactants 1

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Surfactants from Nature 2

1.3 Natural Surfactants Versus Bio-Based Surfactants 4

1.4 Advantages and Disadvantages of Naturally Occurring Surfactants 8

1.5 Production Process of Natural Surfactants 9

1.5.1 Selection of the Microorganism 11

1.5.2 Medium Composition 11

1.5.3 Feeding Strategies 13

1.5.3.1 Pulse Feed 13

1.5.3.2 Constant Feed Rate 13

1.5.3.3 Exponential Feed Rate 13

1.5.3.4 Feedback Control Feed Rate 14

1.5.4 Biosurfactants Transport 15

1.5.5 Recovery and Purification 15

1.6 Raw Materials in Natural Surfactants Production 16

1.7 Life Cycle Analysis of Natural Surfactants 17

1.8 Production Costs of Naturally Occurring Surfactants 18

1.9 Natural Surfactants are Chiral 19

1.10 A Glimpse into the Future 20

References 24

2 Saponins 29

2.1 Introduction 29

2.2 Chemical Structures and Properties 31

2.3 Biological Activity 36

2.3.1 Antibacterial Activity 36

2.3.2 Antiviral Activity 36

2.3.3 Antifungal Activity 36

2.3.4 Antiparasitic Activity 36

2.3.5 Antiinflammatory Activity 36

2.3.6 Antitumor Activity 37

2.3.7 Hepatoprotective Activity 37

2.3.8 Immunoadjuvant Activity 37

2.4 Sources of Commercial Saponins 38

2.5 Extraction and Purification 41

2.6 Toxicology 44

2.6.1 Acute Toxicity 44

2.6.2 Long-Term Toxicity in Mice 44

2.6.3 Short-Term Toxicity in Rats 46

2.6.4 Long-Term Toxicity in Rats 46

2.7 Producers and Vendors 46

2.8 Products and Prices 49

2.9 Existing Applications 49

2.10 Potential Applications 52

2.11 Regulatory 55

2.11.1 Saponins in Pharmacopoeias 55

2.11.2 Saponins in Food and Cosmetics Regulatory 55

References 56

3 Phospholipids 63

3.1 Introduction 63

3.2 Chemical Structure and Properties of Lecithin 66

3.3 Production 68

3.4 Producers and Prices 70

3.5 Existing Applications 73

3.5.1 Liposomes for Delivery of Bioactive Substances 73

3.5.2 Lecithin in Food, Feed, and Nutrition 75

3.5.3 Lecithin in Personal Care Formulations 76

3.5.4 Lecithin in Other Industrial Areas 76

3.6 Regulatory 77

References 78

4 Bile Acids 81

4.1 Introduction 81

4.2 Chemical Structures and Properties 81

4.3 Producers 82

4.4 Applications 82

References 83

5 Rhamnolipids 85

5.1 Introduction 85

5.2 Chemical Structures and Properties 85

5.3 Biosynthesis 90

5.4 Biotechnological Production 91

5.4.1 Choosing the Bacteria 91

5.4.2 Fermentation Conditions 92

5.4.2.1 Medium Composition 93

5.4.2.2 Fermentation Parameters 94

5.4.2.3 Extraction and Purification 94

5.4.3 Reducing Raw Material Costs 95

5.4.3.1 Waste Cooking Oils (WCO) 95

5.4.3.2 Other Sources 96

5.4.4 Overcoming Pathogenicity 97

5.5 Rhamnolipids Through Organic Synthesis 98

5.6 Rhamnolipids Through Bioorganic Synthesis 100

5.7 Biodegradability, Toxicity, and Antimicrobial Effect 101

5.8 Suppliers, Formulators, Products, and Prices 102

5.9 Existing Applications 104

5.10 Potential Applications 105

5.11 Regulatory 107

References 107

6 Sophorolipids 117

6.1 Introduction 117

6.2 Chemical Structures and Properties 117

6.3 Biosynthesis 123

6.4 Production 125

6.5 Production Costs 128

6.6 Biodegradability and Toxicity 129

6.7 Suppliers, Formulators, Products, and Prices 129

6.8 Existing Applications 134

6.8.1 Cosmetics 134

6.8.2 Household Cleaning 134

6.8.3 Source of Chemicals 135

6.9 Potential Applications 135

6.10 Regulatory 136

References 137

7 Mannosylerythritol Lipids 141

7.1 Introduction 141

7.2 Chemical Structures and Properties 141

7.3 Production 145

7.4 Producers 148

7.5 Existing and Potential Applications 148

7.5.1 Cosmetics 148

7.5.2 Disinfection 149

7.5.3 Crop Protection 150

References 151

8 Trehalose Lipids 153

8.1 Introduction 153

8.2 Chemical Structures and Properties 153

8.3 Production 158

8.4 Skin Toxicity 159

8.5 Existing Applications 159

8.6 Potential Applications 160

References 161

9 Cellobiose Lipids 163

9.1 Introduction 163

9.2 Chemical Structures and Properties 163

9.3 Production 165

9.4 Potential Applications 165

References 166

10 Xylolipids 167

10.1 Introduction 167

10.2 Chemical Structures and Properties 167

10.3 Producers 168

10.4 Potential Applications 169

References 169

11 Lipopeptides 171

11.1 Introduction 171

11.2 Chemical Structures and Properties 172

11.3 Biosynthesis 173

11.4 Production 174

11.5 Production Costs 174

11.6 Toxicology, Environmental Properties 175

11.7 Suppliers and Products 176

11.8 Existing and Potential Applications 177

11.9 Regulatory 177

References 177

12 Antimicrobial Peptides 181

12.1 Introduction 181

12.2 Chemical Structures and Properties 182

12.3 Sources 184

12.4 Production 185

12.5 Mechanism of Action 187

12.5.1 Extracellular Via Membrane Targeting Mode 187

12.5.2 Intracellular Mode 190

12.5.2.1 Inhibition of Protein Biosynthesis 190

12.5.2.2 Inhibition of Nucleic Acid Biosynthesis 190

12.5.2.3 Inhibition of Protease Activity 190

12.5.2.4 Inhibition of Cell Division 190

12.6 Existing and Potential Applications 191

12.6.1 Medicine 191

12.6.1.1 Wound Healing and Skin Infections 191

12.6.1.2 Dental Care 192

12.6.1.3 Ophthalmology 192

12.6.1.4 Antibacterial Peptides 192

12.6.1.5 Antifungal Peptides 192

12.6.1.6 Anticancer Peptides 192

12.6.1.7 Antiviral Peptides 192

12.6.1.8 Antiparasitic Peptides 193

12.6.1.9 Anti-HIV Peptides 193

12.6.1.10 Endogenous Antimicrobial Peptides 193

12.6.1.11 Biofilm Inhibitors 193

12.6.2 Medical Devices 193

12.6.3 Pharmaceutical Industry 194

12.6.3.1 Therapeutic Antimicrobial Peptides on the Market 194

12.6.3.2 Nanoparticle Formulations of Antimicrobial Peptides 195

12.6.4 Food 196

12.6.5 Animal Husbandry and Aquaculture 196

12.6.6 Agriculture 196

12.7 Producers 196

References 198

13 Lipopolysaccharides 207

13.1 Introduction 207

13.2 Chemical Structures and Properties 209

13.3 The Emulsan Story 211

13.4 Other Lipopolysaccharides 214

References 215

14 Characterization of Natural Surfactants 219

14.1 Introduction 219

14.2 Methods for the Characterization of Naturally Occurring Surfactants 221

14.3 Methods to Determine the Self-Assembly Behavior of Naturally Occurring Surfactants 230

14.4 Methods to Determine Phase Diagrams of Naturally Occurring Surfactants 231

14.5 Methods for Strain Identification 233

14.6 Methods to Identify the Biosynthesis Pathway of Surface-Active Compounds 234

References 235

15 Distinctive Features of Low- and High-Molecular-Weight Amphiphiles 241

15.1 Introduction 241

15.2 Emulsions 242

15.3 Natural Amphiphiles as Emulsifiers and Emulsion Stabilizers 245

15.3.1 Phospholipids 246

15.3.2 Saponins 247

15.3.3 Glycolipids 248

15.3.4 Lipopeptides 248

15.3.5 Surface-Active Proteins 248

15.3.6 Lipopolysaccharides 250

References 251

16 Commercial Exploitation of Natural Surface-Active Agents 255

Foreword 255

16.1 Introduction 255

16.2 Home Care 256

16.2.1 Household Laundry Detergents 256

16.2.2 Hand Dishwashing Cleaners 258

16.2.3 Hard Surface Cleaners 258

16.3 Cosmetics 258

16.4 Plant Protection 260

16.5 Food 262

16.6 Oil Industry 264

16.6.1 General 264

16.6.2 Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery 264

References 269

Index 273

Subject Areas: Chemistry [PN]

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