The pervasive introduction of toxic substances into the environment poses significant threat to human health and ecological integrity, driving the urgent need for sustainable remediation technologies. Biosurfactants, derived from microorganisms, are emerging as powerful and eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic surfactants, offering viable pathway for effective environmental management. This review highlights the remarkable versatility of biosurfactants in combating pollution challenges, including soil waste water detoxification, oil spill recovery, and heavy metal sequestration. Their efficacy stems from unique properties such as high biodegradability, low toxicity, ability to enhance the bioavailability and biodegradation of hydrophobic pollutants through emulsification and micelle formation. Furthermore, we explore their promising antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties, which open new frontiers in biomedical and environmental applications. Despite their immense potential, widespread adoption is hindered by challenges such as high production costs, yield inconsistency, and scalability issues. Overcoming these barriers necessitates advancements in microbial fermentation technologies and the strategic use of cost-effective feedstocks, like agricultural waste. This review concludes that biosurfactants hold transformative promise for pioneering a new era of sustainable remediation. Future efforts must focus on optimizing production processes to unlock their full potential for large-scale industrial and environmental applications, paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future. • Toxic substances in the environment can be biodegraded by biosurfactants • Microbial induced biosurfactants are responsible for the remediation of polluted environment • Petroleum hydrocarbons, waste water and toxic heavy metals are reduced to harmless end products • Several microbial strains can be improved by metagenomic approach • New research methodologies have improved the production of biosurfactants • Biosurfactants hold significant promise for sustainable environmental remediation, offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical agents
Okezie et al. (Fri,) studied this question.