Bioactivity and potential applications of plant-derived biosurfactants

Synthetic surfactants are often non-biodegradable and derived from petrochemical sources, which can harm the environment. In contrast, natural surfactants, also known as biosurfactants (BSs), are typically sourced from microorganisms, plants, or animals and are generally nontoxic and biodegradable, which minimizes their ecological impact and enhances their environmental biocompatibility. Among these biomolecules, plant-derived BSs (PdBSs), particularly saponins, are the best-known members that are abundantly found in nature and traditionally have been used as emulsifiers and detergents. Their favorable physicochemical and biological properties suggest significant potential for biomedical applications. Optimizing plant resource utilization and developing commercial formulations of PdBSs could support global sustainability efforts. Furthermore, PdBSs hold great promise for scientific and commercial applications in skincare and other cosmeceutical products. In this review, we examined the potential bioactivities of PdBSs, particularly saponins, as valuable ingredients for the cosmetic industry and skincare products to promote eco-friendly practices in the cosmeceutical sector.