Recent advances in the environmental applications of biosurfactant saponins: A review

Abstract In recent years, more and more studies have devoted to investigate the application of biosurfactants to enhance the removal of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) and heavy metals from contaminated soils and water. Saponins are non-ionic surfactants derived from plants, which have special molecular structure with hydrophilic glycoside backbone and lipophilic triterpene derivative. This review introduced the source and properties of saponins, and discussed the environmental application of saponins in the remediation of organic and inorganic contaminants, especially in remediation of the hydrophobic organic compounds pollutants and heavy metals in soils or water. These advantages indicate the good prospect of applying saponins in environment remediation. Moreover, further research on full-scale pollutants remediation using saponins and potential areas for future application of saponins are also proposed.