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Published on: September 20, 2016
Mannosylerythritol lipids: production, downstream processing, and potential applications
Cristiano J de Andrade1, Ana Ls Coelho1, Paulo E Feuser1
1Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil.
Abstract:
Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are biosurfactants produced by various fungal species. Depending on the degree of acetylation and further chemical modifications, these glycolipids can show remarkable biological properties, including the increase of water retention in the stratum corneum suppression of melanogenic enzymes tyrosinase-1 and -2, reversion of UV-A radiation-induced aquaporin-3 suppression, skin whitening, and anti-aging effects. These applications of MELs require high purity, which is usually reached by liquid-liquid extraction followed by chromatography, obtaining ≥95% purity. This worked aimed to critically discuss the current state of the art and trends on the production of MELs, including post-production treatment as enzymatic conversion. In addition, their application as skincare or pharmaceutical agents and agricultural biostimulants.
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