Biosurfactants Based Nano Micelles for Extraction of Biomolecules

Surfactants have the ability to form nano-sized micelles in the aqueous phase and reverse micelles in the organic phase through a self-assembly process. The micelles and reverse micelles are able to encapsulate various substances. This phenomenon has been exploited for the extraction and separation of various biomolecules. Micelle-based extraction techniques have many benefits including low solvent consumption, utilization of safe solvents, easy operation, fast extraction process, good selectivity, high extraction efficiency, and protection of encapsulated biomolecules. Biosurfactants have many advantages like high biodegradability, high specificity, low toxicity, biocompatible, environmentally friendly, and stable at extreme conditions. They are produced from renewable and cheap resources. Many biosurfactants also possess better surface activity compared to chemical surfactants. Therefore, biosurfactants are a good alternative to chemical surfactants in micelle-based extraction techniques.