Available online at www.scholarsresearchlibrary.com Scholars Research Library Der Pharmacia Lettre, 2013, 5 (5):1-6 (http://scholarsresearchlibrary.com/archive.html) ISSN 0975-5071 USA CODEN: DPLEB4 1 Scholar Research Library Biosurfactant from marine actinobacteria and its application in cosmetic formulation of toothpaste Ishita Das, Suki Roy, Shreta Chandni, L. Karthik, Gaurav Kumar and K. V. Bhaskara Rao* School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Biosurfactant was obtained from Nocardiopsis VITSISB and it was used in cosmetic formulation of toothpaste, replacing Sodium Lauryl Sulphate which is normally used in commercial toothpaste as a surfactant. This biosurfactant toothpaste was qualitatively analyzed by several tests like Spreadability Test, Foaming ability Test, Abrasiveness Test, Brine shrimp Hatchability Test and cleaning ability test. The results indicate that biosurfactant are more efficient and less toxic surfactant compare with chemical surfactant. In conclusion, the biosurfactant obtained from actinobacteria can act as good ingredient in place of chemical surfactant for toothpaste formulation. So with the advantage of environmental compatibility, in future the biosurfactant may be used in other cosmetic formulation like Shampoo formulation, face wash formulation etc. as an alternative for the chemical surfactant. Keywords: Biosurfactant, Formulation, Spreadability Test, Foaming ability Test, Brine Shrimp Hatchability Test. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION Many microorganisms like Actinobacteria are able to produce a wide range of amphipathic compounds which is normally known as biosurfactant. Due to their amphipathic nature, biosurfactant can partition at the interface between difference fluid phases such as oil, water or air interfaces. There are many types (e.g. glycolipids, rhamnolipids, sophorolipids etc) of biosurfactants each produced by specific microorganisms. Glycolipids and lipopeptides are low molecular weight biosurfactants that effectively lower surface and interfacial tensions. High molecular weight compounds include extracellular polysaccharides, lipopolysaccharides, proteins, and lipoproteins that have a high affinity for surface binding [1]. Biosurfactant have special advantage over the chemical surfactants (e.g. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate), such as non toxicity, higher biodegradability, better environmental compatibility, higher foaming, high selectivity and specific activity at extreme temperature, pH, and salinity. Hence, biosurfactant provide highly valued surface properties, they have a higher degree of biodegradability and environmental compatibility which synthetic surfactants lack. Even with potential for several applications, production cost must be lowered, and high yield mutant strains need to be developed for these compounds to be profitable on a commercial scale. Exhibiting unique characteristics including antiradical properties, stimulation of dermal fibroblast metabolism, and hygroscopic properties to support healthy skin physiology, future prospects of biosurfactant based products include several types of facial cosmetics, lotions, beauty washes and hair products [2]. Biosurfactant production and analysis is currently a wide and active field of study and biosurfactant easily can be used in cosmetic formulation replacing the chemical surfactant. Biosurfactant also have enzyme activity and it’s known as bacterial lipases. Bacterial lipases are ubiquitous enzymes of considerable physiological significance and industrial potential [3]. Lipases are widely used in cosmetic industry and it was used as an emulsifiers and moisturizers [4]. In a recent study carried out by market researcher, the market for enzyme used in cosmetic is set to grow 5% per year up to 2015 driven by technological progress and consumer awareness of seemingly potent power of enzymes [5]. Normally toothpastes are complex mixtures of abrasives, surfactants, anticaries agents, tartar control ingredients, pH buffers, humectants and binders to provide consistency and shape. Toothpastes are the essential cosmetics of daily uses. The