Enzymatic glycolipid surfactant synthesis from renewables

Publication date: Available online 20 September 2019Source: Process BiochemistryAuthor(s): Jens Grüninger, André Delavault, Katrin OchsenreitherAbstractGlycolipids are promising nonionic biosurfactants with a wide range of application. In contrast to the traditional surfactants from fossil origin, they are not only exhibiting excellent surfactant and emulsifying properties but are in addition biodegradable and non-toxic to the environment. Glycolipids can be produced by microbial fermentation, by chemical or enzymatical synthesis using renewable resources. In this review, strengths and weaknesses of each production method are compared and enzymatic synthesis is highlighted as the method of choice for the tailor-made synthesis of a wide range of novel glycolipids. As for enzymatical and chemical synthesis solvents with low water activity are needed to favor condensation instead of the hydrolysis reaction, organic solvents or ionic liquids are commonly used. However, the unusual deep eutectic solvent system might be a green alternative worth to consider. In terms of enzymatic catalysis, lipases are well known in literature and already widely used for the production of sugar-acyl-esters. However, β-glucosidases can be alternatively used for glycolipid synthesis which is far less studied. The abilities of both enzymes for glycolipid synthesis are therefore compared and discussed.
Source: Process Biochemistry - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research