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Abstract
<p class="first" id="d11210740e78">Synthetic surfactants are becoming increasingly
unpopular in many applications due
to previously disregarded effects on biological systems and this has led to a new
focus on replacing such products with biosurfactants that are biodegradable and produced
from renewal resources. Microbially derived biosurfactants have been investigated
in numerous studies in areas including: increasing feed digestibility in an agricultural
context, improving seed protection and fertility, plant pathogen control, antimicrobial
activity, antibiofilm activity, wound healing and dermatological care, improved oral
cavity care, drug delivery systems and anticancer treatments. The development of the
potential of biosurfactants has been hindered somewhat by the myriad of approaches
taken in their investigations, the focus on pathogens as source species and the costs
associated with large-scale production. Here, we focus on various microbial sources
of biosurfactants and the current trends in terms of agricultural and biomedical applications.
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