Sophorolipids: multifunctional microbial glycolipids with diverse bioactivities and applications

Sophorolipids (SLs) are glycolipid biosurfactants produced by non-pathogenic yeasts and represent a sustainable, biocompatible alternative to synthetic surfactants. Their amphiphilic architecture-comprising a hydrophilic sophorose headgroup and a hydrophobic fatty acid tail-confers excellent surface activity, emulsifying capacity, and a broad spectrum of biological effects. This review synthesizes advances since 2020 in understanding SL bioactivities, including antibacterial, antifungal, antibiofilm, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. We examine structure-activity relationships that govern functionality and survey strategies to enhance efficacy, such as chemical modification to generate novel derivatives and incorporation into nanostructures for targeted delivery. The review also evaluates application potential across sectors-agriculture (biopesticides, soil amendments), food (emulsifiers, preservatives), healthcare (therapeutics, coatings), and environmental remediation (oil and heavy-metal removal). Despite promising developments, challenges remain in production scaling, mechanistic clarity, and comprehensive characterization of novel SL. Addressing these issues will facilitate the integration of SLs into sustainable, high-value bioproducts aligned with green chemistry principles.