Özet:

Surfactants (surface-active agents) are defined as amphiphilic compounds that can reduce surface and interfacial tension by accumulating atthe interface of two immiscible phases. Biosurfactans, which are synthesized extracellularly or as a constituent of cell membrane in differentstructures by prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, have some distinct superiorities over their synthetically produced counterparts. Due tolow toxicity, high biodegradability, conservation of the functionality under extreme conditions, and different mechanisms of action they havebeen widely employed in petroleum, food, agriculture, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, as well as bioremediation of environmentalpollution. This review gives comprehensive information with regard to general properties, classification, factors affecting the production, andapplications of microbial surfactants.

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