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Enhanced Oil Recovery using a Combination of Biosurfactants
Published on: June 3, 2022
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Cost effective technologies and renewable substrates for biosurfactants' production
Ibrahim M Banat1, Surekha K Satpute2, Swaranjit S Cameotra3
1Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster Coleraine, UK.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|January 8, 2015
Summary
Biosurfactants and bioemulsifiers (BS/BE) have vast applications but are costly to produce. This review explores using low-cost, renewable substrates and fermentation to reduce BS/BE production costs.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Microbial surface-active amphiphilic molecules, biosurfactants/bioemulsifiers (BS/BE), exhibit unique properties.
- BS/BE are crucial in bioremediation, biodegradation, enhanced oil recovery, pharmaceuticals, and food processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review strategies for reducing the production cost of biosurfactants and bioemulsifiers.
- To highlight the role of low-cost, renewable raw substrates and fermentation technology in cost-effective BS/BE production.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on BS/BE production.
- Analysis of cost-reduction strategies focusing on substrate selection and fermentation processes.
Main Results:
- Commercialization of BS/BE is hindered by high production costs, often due to chemically synthesized media.
- Large-scale production remains economically challenging, with a significant gap between investment and productivity.
Conclusions:
- Utilizing low-cost, renewable raw substrates is key to making BS/BE production economically viable.
- Optimizing fermentation technology alongside sustainable substrates can significantly reduce BS/BE manufacturing costs.
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