Straw waste becomes an important source of biosurfactants

scientists have discovered a way to use straw, one of the world's richest natural resources, to produce a substance to replace synthetic chemicals used in foods such as soap and other household productsA recent innovative research project by the University of Portsmouth in the UK shows that straw can be used to produce a biosurfactant as a non-toxic alternative component in the production of most petroleum-based synthetic materialsan alternative non-toxic component
the biotechnology project aims to address one of the planet's most pressing environmental problems and to find ways to reduce the amount of synthetic chemicals used in everyday lifeThe project is led by the Enzyme Innovation Centre at the University of Portsmouth and is collaborating with the University of India amity and the Indian Institute of Technologymethod of producing high-quality substances
the study seeks a natural substance that can replace chemicalsynthetic surfactants, which can be used as natural surfactants and are mainly used in the production of cleaning products, pharmaceuticals, sunscreens, cosmetics, pesticides and other productsThe surfactant is hydrophilic oil-friendly and helps to reduce the surface tension of the liquid and improve the cleanliness and permeability of the productDrPattanathu Rahman, an expert in microbial biotechnology at the University of Portsmouth and head of TeeGene Biotechnology UK, has been working with DrSam Joy since 2015 to use enzyme technology to manufacture biosurfactantsResearchers believe that this environmentally friendly manufacturing method can provide high-quality raw materials for the manufacturing industry"Surfactants are widely used, including detergents, fabric softeners, insecticidal glues, shampoos, toothpastes, coatings, toiletries and cosmetics," says DrRahmanWe need to develop technology to produce enough biosurfactants to replace chemicalsynthetic surfactantsThe research shows that the use of agricultural waste such as straw, with the research of agricultural by-products such as straw gradually deepens, we are far from achieving the goal"
the project's developers have pointed out that biosurfactants made from straw or other agricultural by-products can have a multifaceted positive impact on ecosystems 1 There is great concern about the effects of chemical surfactants used in household products, which end up in rivers and the sea 2 Straw is a natural by-product of rice cultivation, with millions of tons worldwide each year 3 Farmers often burn these rice by-products, but produce emissions that are harmful to the environment Using these by-products to produce another product may be an effective recycling solution 4 The use of biosurfactants produced by agricultural by-products also has economic advantages "In the field of biosurfactants, the purity required for biosurfactants is high, " says Dr Rahman, a As a result, they can be very expensive However, we have production methods that make it more economical and cost-effective This is a very promising technology with great potential for applications in a variety of industries "
studies have shown that biosurfactants are potential substitutes for chemically synthesized surfactants, with a market value of $2.8 billion by 2023 Biosurfactants have attracted much attention in recent years because of their low toxicity, biodegradability and other characteristics, which help products meet the requirements of the European Surfactants Directive Dr Rahman believes that the development of biosurfactants will bring new technical ideas to the production of soaps and other cleaning products explained: "Most people think soap is an effective way to remove skin bacteria However, the discovery of a way to use "bacteria" to produce soap is a new way of thinking and will help most waste disposal and optimize solutions, potentially creating new jobs "