Page 561 - Refining Biomass Residues for Sustainable Energy and Bioproducts

Comparative life-cycle analysis of 23

synthetic detergents and
biosurfactants—an overview

3
1
Sharrel Rebello , A.N Anoopkumar 1,2 , Raveendran Sindhu ,
4
3
Parameswaran Binod , Ashok Pandey and Embalil Mathachan Aneesh 1
1
Communicable Disease Research Laboratory, St Joseph’s College, Irinjalakuda, India,
2
Department of Zoology, Christ College, University of Calicut, Irinjalakuda, India,
3
Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute of Interdisciplinary
4
Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Trivandrum, India, Centre for Innovation and
Translational Research, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR),
Lucknow, India

23.1 Introduction

The realm of surfactants has marked its presence in every aspect of human life right
from household, cosmetics, chemical industries, agriculture, biotechnology, petro-
chemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc. (Rebello et al., 2014; Rodrigues et al., 2006).
Their range of utility extended from the soft hygiene-oriented toothpastes and soaps
to harsh and toxic pesticides with a myriad of varieties, brands, and activity levels.
As per statistical reports, the surfactant market is expected to reach a targeted
economy of $44.9 billion by 2022 (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/
the-global-surfactant-chemical-and-material-market-should-reach-449-billion-by-
2022300580229.html).
Irrespective of its wide utility in human life, surfactants have also gained more
attention on the impacts it leaves off during synthesis, use, and its disposal. A critical
analysis of published reports indicates that surfactants have greatly depleted and
harmed the macro as well as microbiota of the aquatic and terrestrial environment
(Rebello et al., 2014; Susmi et al., 2010; Cserhati et al., 2002; Azizullah et al., 2012).
The high level of toxicity of surfactants is always associated with its unwise disposal
to adjoining water bodies, thereby ascertain the need of pretreatment of surfactant
effluents before their disposal (Ivankovi´ cand Hrenovi´ c, 2010; Bandala et al., 2008).
Apart from the environment, humans are also seriously affected by the aftermaths of
surfactant pollution (Enomoto et al., 2007; Hrabak et al., 1982); but they are often
unaware of the hidden consequences due to ignorance or anesthetic agents that mask
the exact level of impacts (Azizullah et al., 2012; Vian et al., 1995).
The complexity and disposal strategy of each kind of surfactant varies and
depends on its exact chemistry (Pletnev et al., 2001). In such a scenario of toxicity

Refining Biomass Residues for Sustainable Energy and Bioproducts. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818996-2.00023-5
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