Researchers work on bacteria to produce detergents and more from wood

In Germany, researchers at the University of Hohenheim would like to use biotechnological methods to produce modern surfactants from the hardwood raw material. These biosurfactants can not only meet special industrial requirements, but they can also be an alternative to the surfactants previously made from petroleum or vegetable oil.

Classic surfactants are based on petroleum or palm oil – with negative consequences. Mainly petroleum and vegetable oils serve as sources. Both are unsustainable in the long run, because the oil reserves are limited and the vegetable oils mostly come either from the discredited palm oil plantations or their production is in competition with food production, e.g. B. with rapeseed oil.

Bacteria produce bio-surfactants from plant waste. Alternative solutions are therefore in demand. These researchers are developing biotechnical processes in which biosurfactants are produced from bacteria using renewable raw materials.