This project aims to create new-to-nature and tailor-made biosurfactants through metabolic engineering of the unconventional yeast Starmerella bombicola.
Surfactants or surface active agents are applied in a wide range of industries and products e.g. cleaning, personal care, cosmetics, agriculture, oil recovery, paper industry. Surfactants are produced in large amounts of which the majority is used in households for laundry and cleaning. This results in large volumes of waste water ending up in the environment.