Comprehensive guide to the fundamentals and growing range of commercial applications of natural surfactants

Natural Surfactants: Science, Technology, and Industrial Aspects discusses the origin, production, physico-chemical properties, major producers, status, and opportunities of natural surfactants from macro- and microorganisms. The book presents the latest research in the field of natural surfactants, reviewing their advantages, current and future applications based on structure-performance relationships, and commercial uses in diverse industries including vaccines, food emulsifiers, feed additives, personal care formulations, pharmaceuticals, crop protection formulations, soil remediation and microbial enhanced oil recovery.

The book contains introductory sections on each of the major classes of natural surfactants with each section broken down into subchapters discussing their biochemical and commercial features. It has a chapter on the analytical techniques used for the characterisation of natural surfactants and their producing microorganisms. It closes with a chapter on future perspectives, discussing hurdles and opportunities for natural surfactants.

Authored by experts in the field of surfactant science with experience in both academic research and industrial practices, Natural Surfactants includes information on:

• The chemical structure and the physicochemical properties
• The biological activity
• The production process, including, as appropriate, extraction or fermentation strategies and conditions, microorganism strains, medium composition, and purification techniques
• The economics of production for the major classes
• A comprehensive review of the existing industrial uses and of the potential new applications as it can be inferred from the match of physicochemical properties and market demands.

Natural Surfactants contains essential knowledge on the subject for academic researchers and industry practitioners working in the field of surfactant science. The text is also valuable for universities, research institutes, and regional and multinational companies active in surfactants production and/or in their formulation.