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Harnessing the Potential of Biosurfactants for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Applications

Ceresa, Chiara; Fracchia, Letizia; Sansotera, Andrea Chiara; De Rienzo, Mayri Alejandra Díaz; Banat, Ibrahim M.

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Authors

Chiara Ceresa

Letizia Fracchia

Andrea Chiara Sansotera

Ibrahim M. Banat



Abstract

Biosurfactants (BSs) are microbial compounds that have emerged as potential alternatives to chemical surfactants due to their multifunctional properties, sustainability and biodegradability. Owing to their amphipathic nature and distinctive structural arrangement, biosurfactants exhibit a range of physicochemical properties, including excellent surface activity, efficient critical micelle concentration, humectant properties, foaming and cleaning abilities and the capacity to form microemulsions. Furthermore, numerous biosurfactants display additional biological characteristics, such as antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral effects, and antioxidant, anticancer and immunomodulatory activities. Over the past two decades, numerous studies have explored their potential applications, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents, wound healing, anticancer treatments, immune system modulators and drug/gene carriers. These applications are particularly important in addressing challenges such as antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formations in clinical, hygiene and therapeutic settings. They can also serve as coating agents for surfaces, enabling antiadhesive, suppression, or eradication strategies. Not least importantly, biosurfactants have shown compatibility with various drug formulations, including nanoparticles, liposomes, micro- and nanoemulsions and hydrogels, improving drug solubility, stability and bioavailability, and enabling a targeted and controlled drug release. These qualities make biosurfactants promising candidates for the development of next-generation antimicrobial, antibiofilm, anticancer, wound-healing, immunomodulating, drug or gene delivery agents, as well as adjuvants to other antibiotics. Analysing the most recent literature, this review aims to update the present understanding, highlight emerging trends, and identify promising directions and advancements in the utilization of biosurfactants within the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.

Citation

Ceresa, C., Fracchia, L., Sansotera, A. C., De Rienzo, M. A. D., & Banat, I. M. (in press). Harnessing the Potential of Biosurfactants for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Applications. Pharmaceutics, 15(8), 2156. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15082156

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 15, 2023
Online Publication Date Aug 18, 2023
Deposit Date Sep 19, 2023
Publicly Available Date Sep 19, 2023
Journal Pharmaceutics
Publisher MDPI
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 15
Issue 8
Pages 2156
DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15082156
Keywords Pharmaceutical Science

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