A. Badis, A. Tared, S. Hadjala, E. Kamel, F. Zohra Ferradji
University of Blida 1,
Algeria
Keywords: biosurfactants, polyphenols, antimicrobial, topical formulations, yeast, olive mill wastewater, dermo-cosmetic, pharmaceutical applications
Summary:
Innovative Bioprocess for Antimicrobial Biosurfactants and Polyphenol-Based Therapeutics This study pioneers a high-performance biotechnological approach to produce antimicrobial biosurfactants and polyphenols from yeast and olive mill wastewater. The goal is to develop advanced topical dermo-cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations with broad-spectrum efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. A hyperproductive yeast strain (coded 138) was isolated and cultivated in optimized media, yielding 13 g/L of biosurfactants. These compounds demonstrated exceptional antimicrobial activity, with inhibition zones exceeding 40 mm, and remained stable across varying pH and temperature conditions. Polyphenols extracted from olive mill wastewater exhibited potent antimicrobial properties, with MICs comparable to conventional antibiotics. The synergistic combination of biosurfactants and polyphenols in topical formulations significantly enhanced antimicrobial activity, making them ideal for medical and cosmetic applications. Rigorous stability and efficacy testing confirmed their potential for clinical use. In conclusion, this project successfully engineered a sustainable bioprocess for producing antimicrobial agents from renewable sources, offering a promising solution to combat antimicrobial resistance and improve skin health. Future efforts will focus on scaling production and clinical validation.