Applications
Rhamnolipids are being applied to many applications in a wide range of fields because of their natural biosurfactant, emulsifying, fungicidal, antibiotic, and pharmaceutical properties. Some of the applications include:
Cosmetics
The use of rhamnolipids in cosmetics will become widespread
as consumers look for natural "green" products. The rhamnolipids will emulsify the other ingredients, forming them into
a uniform mixture and spreading them evenly. For skin products, rhamnolipids will make minimize the appearance of
wrinkles, in some cases make small wrinkles seem to disappear. The rhamnolipids will make the skin feel
more moist and smooth.
One company using rhamnolipids for cosmetics is Aurora Advanced Beauty Labs.
Environmental Cleanup
Environmental Cleanup, also known as bioremediation, is the
process of removing oils, metals, and other pollutants from soil, water,
coastlines, and the seabed. Rhamnolipids
are proving to be a very safe and effective method of cleaning up oil and tar
spills. They are also effective in
sequestering and removing toxic metals from polluted soils, sands, and gravels. Since rhamnolipids are natural they are a
much-preferred method of cleaning up toxic wastes and washing soil over removal
and sequestering the material.
A company supplying rhamnolipids for bio-remediation is Bio-remediation, Inc.
Pesticides
Rhamnolipids as a natural product have numerous applications in agriculture and farming. They are environmentally and ecologically safe. As a surfactant they can function as a wetting agent, sticker, and dispersal agent for the application of agricultural fungicides and pesticides. In very low dilutions they are effective as a fungicide and bactericide for certain agricultural pests. As a wetting fungicide they will prove useful in protecting foods from spoilage in storage.
Petroleum Recovery
It is estimated that only 40% of an oil reservoir can be removed by simple pump and flooding methods. This is due to the viscosity and adhering to the substrate in the reservoir. Testing indicates that the surfactant and emulsifying properties of rhamnolipids can be used to recover and additional 40% of the remaining oil in a well. This Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) that may facilitate the doubling of the petroleum recoverable from an oil well or tar sands over traditional methods in a much more environmentally friendly manner.<
Pharmaceutical
Research has shown that rhamnolipids have many beneficial uses medically. Rhamnolipids have been used to heal bedsores that failed to respond to traditional treatments. They have also been used on wound and burn healing speeding up the process and reducing the associated scarring that occurs with other remedies. Tests have shown that rhamnolipids are very effective in treating psoriasis. It has been shown that rhamnolipids kill tuberculin bacteria. Rhamnolipids are also good at fighting fungal and bacterial infections.
Other medical applications include coating stents, implants, and prostheses as well as bandages to prevent infection and adhesion. In some cases, active rhamnolipid based biofilms and be used for coating stents
Oil Sludge Removal
The shipment, storage, and processing of many produces, including oil and heavy petroleum products leave a large amount of oil sludge or coagulate in the shipping containers, tanks, and reaction vessels that is difficult to clean out. This reduces the amount of product delivered as well as reducing the capacity of the ship or container for the next load. Rhamnolipid’s surfactant and emulsifying properties are used to remove and recover the sludge and coagulates from the containers in an environmental manner.
Toiletries & Household Cleaners
Rhamnolipids are a natural surfactant and emulsifier that will replace a number of the carcinogenic and harmful chemicals that are currently widely used in shampoos, soaps, detergents, and possibly even toothpaste.
The widely used SLS and SLES will be replaced in the coming years as they have toxic byproducts in their production and are not ecologically friendly.
Agriculture
Research has should that application of rhamnolipids aid in the absorption of nutrients and fertilizers through the roots. The surfactant and wetting properties of rhamnolipids aid in the application of foliar nutrient sprays.
Food Products
Rhamnolipids are used to enhance the volume of bakery products as well as stabilize dough and batter while protecting them from microbial attack. Rhamnolipids improve the properties of various pastry creams.
Rhamnolipids are a source of L-rhamnose, a compound used commercially in the production of high quality flavor compounds.