LIPOpeptide surfactants from SILK by sustainable chemistry – LIPOSILK

In the past years, surfactants produced from biomass have been intensively developed. However the high-quality fractions of biomass are in competition with food applications. Silk proteins appear as non-food natural polymers which utilization for surfactant production has been sparsely studied. The main objective of LIPOSILK project is to develop an original way for the biomass valorization to produce a new class of silk protein based surfactants. A multidisciplinary approach will be used integrating new eco-friendly synthesis, study of surfactant structural variations and its performances, and evaluation of the environmental impacts. The main novelty of this project is the use of new green methodologies in solvent less condition for surfactant production. The originality of this project consists in complete study for biosurfactant design, including the extraction of protein, chemical and enzymatic modifications to obtain lipopeptides, full characterization of adsorption, physico-chemical, biological properties and life cycle assessment analysis of obtained molecules. Lipopeptide molecules developed in LIPOSILK project could be possibly used as mild surfactants in cosmetics, toiletry and pharmaceutical products for topical treatment.