Biosurfactant-enhanced bioremediation of hydrophobic pollutants (original) (raw)

Biosurfactants aided bioremediation mechanisms: A mini-review

Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal

Biosurfactants can be used for bioremediation as amphiphilic compounds that have shown good tolerance to changes in temperature, salt concentration, pH, and other environmental factors. They have received increased attention in bioremediation because they are biodegradable and do not generate any secondary contaminants. Biosurfactants are used to remove organic molecules for example hydrocarbon contaminants through various mechanisms such as surface tension reduction, emulsification, and micelle formation. They can also play a role in removing heavy metals by increasing contact with the surface of heavy metal deposits and forming complexes and micelle formation. In this review, we focus on the role of biosurfactants in improving the efficacy of bioremediation.