Bioemulsifires: An overview
- August 24, 2021
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: Chemistry, IJRSI
International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VIII, Issue VII, July 2021 | ISSN 2321–2705
Dr. Tapati Mallik
Department of Chemistry, Chandernagore College, Chandernagore, Hooghly, India
Abstract: Bioemulsifiers are considered as multifunctional biomolecules of 21st century because of their functional abilities and eco-friendly properties. Currently, they are considered as “green molecules” because of their wide applications in bioremediation of soil. They can also be applied for removal of heavy metal and chlorinated solvent compounds, in drugs industry, food industry, cosmetic industry, metallurgy, agrochemicals, fertilisers and many others. Their importance has been increasing day by day in the global market as they are the natural resources with high-aggregate value.
Keywords: Emulsion, biphasic system, emulsifier, bioemulsifier, bioremediation, interfacial tension
I. INTRODUCTION
An emulsion (Khan et al., 2011) may be defined as a biophasic system consisting of two immiscible liquids, one of which (the dispersed phase) is finely and uniformly dispersed as globules throughout the second phase (the continuous phase).In other words, an emulsion is an insoluble mixture composed of two different types of liquid in which one liquid i.e. dispersed phase, is spreading in the other liquid, which is a continuous phase. The two common types are o/w emulsion and w/o emulsion .The o/w (Martinez-Palou et al., 2013) system appears as a heterogeneous emulsion in which oil is dispersed in a form of bubbles of different sizes in the continuous water phase. In contrary, in w/o emulsions oil forms the primary (continuous) phase in which water droplets disperse with different sizes.
Emulsifiers or emulsifying agents are substances that help stabilize an emulsion to allow it to stay in this form for a significant amount of time. The mechanism by which they proceed -1) reducing surface tension and ii) increasing viscosity of the medium. They increase the uniformity of nutrients, such as fatty acids, fat soluble vitamins and amino acids and is closely related to their chemical structure (Calvo et al.2004).Physiologically, in animals digestive system, the presence of bile salts, benefits fat absorption