BIOSURFACTANTS ENHANCED REMEDIATION OF CONTAMINATED SOILR. JAYASHREE AND R. RIZAMAbstract Biosurfactants are expected to become known as multifunctional materials of the twenty first century as they have applications in different industrial processes as well as potential novel future uses, mostly due to their diverse structures. Microorganisms produce surface active compounds to enhance both the bioavailability of hydrophobic immiscible and mostly inaccessible substrates allowing better survival under low moisture conditions. Biosurfactant production generally requires the presence of miscible hydrophilic and oily/hydrocarbon type carbon source in the culture medium. The process economics and environmental credentials can make it attractive when using waste products as substrates. This mini review aimed to explain the importance of biosurfactants and its application to remediate the heavy metal and oil contaminated soils. |