For decades, microorganisms have been known as producers of surfactants,
one of the most important classes of bulk chemicals. In the framework of
the current environmental concerns, biosurfactants gain interest due to
their low toxicity and good biodegradability. Consequently, they offer a
valid alternative to their petrol-derived counterparts. Starmerella
bombicola is able to produce gycolipid sophorolipids. Through genetic
engineering of this yeast it is possible to create new-to-nature
biosurfactants like glucolipids and bolaform sophorolipids or enhance
biosynthesis of one specific molecule instead of the mixture produced by
the wild type. These new strains and molecules possess unrevealed
characteristics and therefore, new production processes were studied
involving both fermentation and purification.