Chemical Approaches to Bioemulsifiers

Amphipathic compounds that are biodegradable and have a lower toxicity are known as bioemulsifiers. They can be produced using fermentative methods using agro-industrial waste products and oleaginous chemicals. In this respect, the current work details the synthesis and physical, chemical, and structural characterisation of the bioemulsifier produced by the yeast Scheffersomyces shehatae 16-BR6-2AI in a medium that contains soybean oil and hemicellulosic sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate. Following the bioemulsifier's production and isolation in Erlenmeyer flasks, the generated molecule's physicochemical and structural characterisation was completed. The fermentation parameters YX/S =0.45, YP/S =0.083, and productivity of 0.076g/L/h were attained. A polymer comprising 53% carbohydrates, 40.92% proteins, and 6.08% lipids was identified as the bioemulsifier. Amines, carbonyls, and amides were among the functional groups that the FTIR spectrum verified were present. The bioemulsifier was stable throughout a pH range of 2–12, salinity ranged from 1–15%, and temperature ranged from 20–120°C. The biomolecule was shown to have a superior emulsifying activity in non-polar organic solvents. Consequently, this biomolecule may be used in a variety of ways and has the potential to replace synthetic surfactants.