ABSTRACT
A wide variety of microorganisms produce surface-active compounds referred to as biosurfactants and there are many putative roles for biosurfactants [1-4]. For example, biosurfactant production can stimulate microbial assimilation of low-water-solubility compounds (e.g., hydrocarbons [5-7]. Antibiotic effects of biosurfactants have been observed toward viruses [8], bacteria [9,10], and other microorganisms, including the zoosporic plant pathogens [11]. Biosurfactants can complex heavy metals [12] and protect against metal toxicity during biodegradation of organics [13]. Studies indicate a role for biosurfactants in the adhesion and deadhesion of bacteria to surfaces [3]. Finally, biosurfactants are one of the virulence factors associated with pathogenic microorganisms [14]. In this chapter, we review the chemical nature of biosurfactants, their biosynthetic pathways, and their possible applications to the field of biotechnology.
