A sustainable solution against neglected tropical diseases using biosurfactants produced by yeasts in sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolyzate

Abstract

Brazil has experienced a moment of extreme attention in public health. Cases of dengue, zika and chikungunya have increased year after year, concerning both public health authorities and society. Recently, the fight against the Aedes aegypti mosquito has become the focus of several research groups and government advertisements, aiming at reducing the indexes related to the tropical diseases transmitted by it. Due to resistance mechanisms that A. aegypti exhibits to the larvicides and insecticides commonly used, it is necessary to develop new substances to be used in the control of this vector. Recently, some studies have shown the potential of microbial larvicide biosurfactants and essential plant oils. The strategy of using the biosurfactants and essential oils in larvicide formulations is extremely important for the national and world sustainable scenario. Besides being considered an important tool against A. aegypti and, consequently, the diseases transmitted by it, biosurfactants and essential plant oils are sustainable and environmentally benign products, are associated to green industrial processes and stimulate the concept of lignocellulosic biorefinery as a source of high value-added bio based products. Thus, this work aims to produce larvicide formulations based on biosurfactants, produced by yeast in culture medium supplemented with sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolyzate, and orange essential oil. These raw materials are abundant in Brazil, and the characterization of these formulations will be an important step for the development of a technological and sustainable product to combat A. aegypti. (AU)