Novel biosurfactant from bacteria as a non-isothiazolinone preservative for all-purpose cleaners

Overview

This solution presents a microbially derived rhamnolipid biosurfactant developed as a sustainable, non-isothiazolinone preservative for all-purpose cleaners. Rhamnolipids are naturally produced surface-active molecules generated by beneficial bacteria cultured on renewable, low-cost feedstocks. The technology targets growing demand from cleaning product manufacturers seeking safer, biodegradable alternatives to conventional synthetic preservatives and surfactants. The biosurfactant has demonstrated broad antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, and rot-inducing fungi, while showing no inhibitory effect on the seeds of key economic crops, supporting both product safety and downstream environmental compatibility.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• Biosurfactant identified as L-rhamnosyl-L-rhamnosyl-3-hydroxydodecenoate, a rhamnolipid congener
• Production via beneficial bacteria cultured on renewable, economically low-cost substrates
• Comprehensive characterization using TLC, LC-MS, and NMR spectroscopy
• New isomers and congeners detected through LC-MS profiling, expanding the known rhamnolipid library
• Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity comparable to or exceeding Tween 20 synthetic surfactant
• Non-phytotoxic to seeds of tested economic crops
• Potential bioremediation applications in contaminated environments
• Positions as a drop-in alternative preservative to isothiazolinone-based chemistries

Technology readiness level

The biosurfactant has been produced and characterized at laboratory scale, with structural confirmation completed through NMR and LC-MS. Antimicrobial efficacy and seed safety testing have been performed. Upcoming validation includes comparative cleaning performance testing against detergent and water controls, formal antimicrobial assays including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), as well as short-term toxicology, clinical safety studies, and risk assessment to support regulatory and commercial readiness.