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Copyright @ Pol J Cosmetol
Pol J Cosmetol 2012, 15(1): 15-20pl  Structure, production and application of sophorolipidsKatarzyna Paraszkiewicz, Anna Jasińska, Mirosława Słaba Katedra Mikrobiologii Przemysłowej i Biotechnologii, Wydział Biologii i Ochrony Środowiska, Uniwersytet Łódzki Summary Sophorolipids are biosurfactants (surface active agents of biological origin) belonging to glicolipids. These compounds are produced by nonpathogenic yeast mainly from genus Candida (e.g. C. apicola and C. bombicola). Sophorolipids strongly reduce surface and interfacial tenson, exhibit low toxicity and their production is based on renewable resources. In this review structure and properties of sophorolipids, characteristic of producing yeast conditions of fermentation process as well as commercial potential of these biosurfactants are discussed. Due to high production yields (over 400 g/l) and unique biological activity (antimicrobial and moisturizing properties) sophorolipids are widely used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals for skin protection. Key words: biosurfactants, surface active agents, sophorolipids, yeast, Candida |