Advances in applications of rhamnolipids biosurfactant in environmental remediation: A review

• Published in: Biotechnology and bioengineering Vol. 115; no. 4; pp. 796 - 814
• Main Authors: Liu, Guansheng, Zhong, Hua, Yang, Xin, Liu, Yang, Shao, Binbin, Liu, Zhifeng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.04.2018
• Subjects: bioremediation; Biosurfactants; Carbohydrate Conformation; Cell surface; Contaminants; Emulsification; Environmental aspects; Environmental cleanup; Environmental Restoration and Remediation - methods; Foaming; Groundwater; Groundwater - chemistry; heavy metal; Heavy metals; Hydrocarbons; Hydrocarbons - chemistry; Hydrocarbons - isolation & purification; Metals, Heavy - chemistry; Metals, Heavy - isolation & purification; organic; Petroleum; Petroleum hydrocarbons; Pollutant removal; Remediation; rhamnolipid; Rhamnolipids; Rhamnose - analogs & derivatives; Rhamnose - chemistry; Soil - chemistry; Soil contamination; Soil Pollutants - chemistry; Soil Pollutants - isolation & purification; Soil remediation; soil washing; Soil water; Solubilization; Surface properties; Surface-Active Agents - chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical - isolation & purification; heavy metal; soil washing; bioremediation; rhamnolipid; organic
• ISSN: 0006-3592; 1097-0290; 1097-0290
• DOI: 10.1002/bit.26517

The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the advances in the applications of rhamnolipids biosurfactants in soil and ground water remediation for removal of petroleum hydrocarbon and heavy metal contaminants. The properties of rhamnolipids associated with the contaminant removal, that is, solubilization, emulsification, dispersion, foaming, wetting, complexation, and the ability to modify bacterial cell surface properties, were reviewed in the first place. Then current remediation technologies with integration of rhamnolipid were summarized, and the effects and mechanisms for rhamnolipid to facilitate contaminant removal for these technologies were discussed. Finally rhamnolipid‐based methods for remediation of the sites co‐contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals were presented and discussed. The review is expected to enhance our understanding on environmental aspects of rhamnolipid and provide some important information to guide the extending use of this fascinating chemical in remediation applications. Production, molecular structures, physiochemical, and biological properties of rhamnolipids, and application of rhamnolipid in bioremediation, soil washing, and phytoremediation for removal of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) and heavy metals, are reviewed.