Self-assembling properties of glycolipid biosurfactants and their potential applications

Biosurfactants (BS) produced by a variety of microorganisms show unique properties (e.g. mild production conditions, multi-functionality, higher environmental compatibility) compared to their chemical counterparts. The numerous advantages of BS have prompted applications not only in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries but in environmental protection and energy-saving technology as well. Among BS, “Glycolipid type” BS are the most promising, due to high productivity from renewable resources and versatile interfacial and biochemical properties. Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs), which are glycolipid BS produced by yeast strains of the genus Pseudozyma, not only exhibit excellent surface activities but also self-assemble to form different lyotropic liquid crystalline phases such as sponge (L3), bicontinuous cubic (V2) or lammellar (Lα). They also show induction of cell-differentiation against human leukemia cells, and high binding affinity towards lectins and immunoglobulins. Recently, the cationic liposome bearing MELs has been demonstrated to increase dramatically the efficiency of gene transfection into mammalian cells. These features of BS should broaden the applications in new advanced technologies. The current status of R&D on glycolipid BS, especially their functions and potential applications, is discussed.