Perspective Chapter: Overview of Bio-Based Surfactant – Recent Development, Industrial Challenge, and Future Outlook

Abstract

Bio-based surfactants are surface-active compounds derived from oil and fats through the production of oleochemicals or from sugar. Various applications of bio-based surfactants include household detergents, personal care, agricultural chemicals, oilfield chemicals, industrial and institutional cleaning, and others. Due to the stringent environmental regulations imposed by governments around the world on the use of chemicals in detergents, as well as growing consumer awareness of environmental concerns, there has been a strong demand in the market for bio-based surfactants. Bio-based surfactants are recognized as a greener alternative to conventional petrochemical-based surfactants because of their biodegradability and low toxicity. As a result, more research is being done on producing novel biodegradable surfactants, either from renewable resources or through biological processes (bio-catalysis or fermentation). This chapter discusses the various types, feedstocks, and applications of bio-based surfactants, as well as the industrial state-of-the-art and market prospects for bio-based surfactant production. In addition, relevant technological challenges in this field are addressed, and a way forward is proposed.

Green Surfactants (Biosurfactants): A Petroleum-Free Substitute for Sustainability─Comparison, Applications, Market, and Future Prospects

“…Many of the synthetic procedures required or involved in biosurfactants’ production utilizes harsh conditions. 235 It is interesting to note that several processes are still using hazardous solvents, toxic acid catalysts, or toxic base catalysts. This definitely has environmental issues regarding toxicities.…”

Study and optimization of oil‐in‐water emulsions formulated by low‐ and high‐frequency ultrasounds

“…Oleic acid has a small hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail [48] and is positioned at oil/water interface with its head in contact with water and its tail in oily phase. Few studies have used this molecule as emulsifier but modified it to improve its emulsifying properties [49][50][51].…”

Statistical optimization strategies on waste substrates for solving high-cost challenges in biosurfactants production: a review

“…Given the advances in renewable solutions and the implementation of regulatory requirements for environmental safety, there is a growing demand for bio-based surfactants [64]. Studies have shown that most biosurfactant industries are based in Europe, Asia and North America, with Europe as the market leader controlling about 52.5% of the global share in 2019 [36].…”

“…Hence, as knowledge of environmental sustainability increases, it is expected that this market share would increase. Although the current production costs of these microbial surfactants pose a major challenge, particularly when compared to their chemical counterparts, this is expected to change in the future through the integration of optimization methods [64]. While statistical optimization methods are not entirely expedient for improving biosurfactant production processes, they confer numerous benefits both in experimental efficiency and optimization of process parameters [32].…”