Emerging role of hydrophobins as a novel bio-surfactant and its multifaceted applications for sustainable practices: a mini-revsiew

Hydrophobins (HPBs), small novel fungal proteins ranging from 5 to 20 kDa, are increasingly recognized for their amphipathic and surfactant properties. HPBs self-assemble into stable bilayer membranes, due to which hydrophobins have gained attention in the field of drug delivery, cosmetics, biosensors, as emulsion stabilizer and in improvement of soil-water dynamics. HPBs have also found application as antifouling bio-coatings for medical devices as they have potential to reduce biofilm formation. This review delves into the structural details of hydrophobins, its production and scale-up, its various applications and future prospects. It discusses about the structural differences between Class I hydrophobins, which forms highly insoluble assemblies, and Class II hydrophobins, which are more soluble. Process of production and purification has been discussed briefly with insights into its scale-up. Several applications highlighting the role of hydrophobins as a sustainable alternative to chemical surfactants have been discussed which promotes the implementation of SDG goals 9 and 12. Lastly, future studies, including machine learning simulations which aim to optimize HPB-soil interactions for enhanced agricultural sustainability, utilizing their multifaceted properties to address environmental and industrial needs have been proposed.

Graphical abstract