ABSTRACT
The persistent occurrence of pollutants in the marine environment is one of the most critical issues worldwide and is a priority in ecosystem-related agendas. Biosurfactants as 21st-century molecules present a plethora of promising avenues for pollutant degradation and remediation. Consequently, there is a growing increase in the global market demand for biosurfactants, although they are limited in application due to the economy of production. Despite modifications in the production processes at the upstream and downstream levels, substrate substitution with waste has proven more sustainable. However, previous studies have widely explored several renewable substrates, mainly agro-waste, neglecting the rich nutritional composition of marine waste. This chapter discusses the current trends in the use of biodegradable and readily available marine waste to produce biosurfactants. The carbon, nitrogen, and mineral constituents of marine waste as a nutrient source for biosurfactant production medium are reviewed. The potential use of crude fish oil as an underutilized renewable resource for marine biosurfactant production is illustrated, along with the mechanisms involved. Also, the possible advances in marine biosurfactant production processes are discussed and illustrated. This chapter emphasizes engineered biosynthesis approaches for improved biosurfactant production. Then, the future outlooks for producing marine biosurfactants and their safer application in the marine environment for pollutant removal and degradation are summarized. The significance of this chapter is to provide technological insight into the feasible advancement(s) in biosurfactant research from a marine perspective toward achieving high productivity and sustainability.
