Biosurfactant producing microbes for clean-up of soil contaminants

Abstract Microbial synthesized biosurfactants currently utilized in remediation of various organic pollutants including hydrocarbons, petroleum products, and oil spills and appear as latest and advanced approach in bioremediation. Biosurfactant is an amphipathic molecules constituted of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups, and their application reduced the surface or interfacial tensions of the immiscible fluids, which enhanced solubility and sorption potential of hydrophobic organic and inorganic compounds. Initially, chemically synthesized surfactants have been used for the remediation of hydrophobic contaminants but cost-effectiveness, toxic, and harmful residues limit their frequent use. In this regard, microbial synthesized biosurfactant emerges as a chief, eco-friendly, and best suitable alternative and frequently utilized in the environmental contamination management. In this chapter, we had summarized microbial source, limiting factors during biosurfactant production, and also discussed action mechanism against various environmental contamination.