Modelling and impact of tensiometer plate geometry and sample volume on biosurfactant surface activity assessment.

Biosurfactants are molecules with hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties with the capacity to reduce the surface tension of water. Given the limited quantity of biosurfactant extracts in laboratories, it is recommended to use equipment that requires minimal sample quantities for detecting the presence of biosurfactants. In this work, commercial glycolipids biosurfactants (rhamnolipids or sophorolipids) were diluted in water and subjected to different analyses to obtain their minimum surface tension (ST) reduction and their critical micellar concentration (CMC).