Biosurfactant from Candida: sources, classification, and emerging applications.

Biosurfactants are surface-active molecules that are synthesized by many microorganisms like fungi, bacteria, and yeast. These molecules are amphiphilic in nature, possessing emulsifying ability, detergency, foaming, and surface-activity like characteristics. Yeast species belongs to the genus Candida has gained globally enormous interest because of the diverse properties of biosurfactants produced by theme. In contrast to synthetic surfactants, biosurfactants are claimed to be biodegradable and non-toxic which labels them as a potent industrial compound. Biosurfactants produced by this genus are reported to possess certain biological activities, such as anticancer and antiviral activities. They also have potential industrial applications in bioremediation, oil recovery, agricultural, pharmaceutical, biomedical, food, and cosmetic industries. Various species of Candida have been recognized as biosurfactant producers, including Candida petrophilum, Candida bogoriensis, Candida antarctica, Candida lipolytica, Candida albicans, Candida batistae, Candida albicans, Candida sphaerica, etc. These species produce various forms of biosurfactants, such as glycolipids, lipopeptides, fatty acids, and polymeric biosurfactants, which are distinct according to their molecular weights. Herein, we provide a detailed overview of various types of biosurfactants produced by Candida sp., process optimization for better production, and the latest updates on the applications of these biosurfactants.

Evaluation of In Vivo toxicity of Novel Biosurfactant from Candida parapsilosis loaded in PLA-PEG Polymeric Nanoparticles.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicological profile of biosurfactant encapsulated polymeric nanoparticles of Polylactic acid-Polyethylene glycol (PLA-PEG) in mice. Hematological, biochemical and histopathological samples of rodents were evaluated. Mice were selected randomly and divided into 3 treatment groups and one control group. Group I mice served as a control group, Group II were administrated with biosurfactant, Group III were treated with Polymeric nanoparticles of PLA-PEG. Group IV mice were injected with biosurfactant loaded polymeric nanoparticles of PLA-PEG. The formulations were administered intravenously via tail vein with 20 µg/mL dose concentration of biosurfactant. The normal control group was injected with only PBS. Blood samples were collected on 7th, 14th and 21st day and hematological and biochemical assays were performed. After the blood collection, mice were sacrificed for histopathological examination. The results showed that there were no significant difference in hematology parameter between the control and treated group. Some minute, non-significant changes were found in biochemical parameters which were not considered. Histopathological result of selected vital organs revealed that the biosurfactant and/or PLA-PEG polymeric nanoparticles can be considered as safe as no toxicological features were observed in histopathology of tissues. Hence, it can be deliberated that the biosurfactant encapsulated in PLA-PEG copolymeric nanoparticles are non toxic and can provide a safe, suitable platform for biomedical applications in future.