Process for deriving biosurfactants, biosurfactants obtained, and use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for producing biosurfactants comprising (i) providing a biosurfactant; (ii) removing water from the biosurfactant; (iii) reacting the biosurfactant with alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalyst; (iv) obtaining an alkoxylated biosurfactant. The invention also relates to the biosurfactants obtained, use thereof, and use of alkylene oxides of renewable origin.

Description

[0001] Biosurfactant Derivatization Process

[0002] Biosurfactants obtained and their use.

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004]

[0001] The present invention relates to the derivatization of biosurfactants, as well as to the biosurfactants obtained, their compositions, their use, and the use of alkylene oxides of renewable origin in the derivatization of said biosurfactants.

[0005]

[0002] The present invention falls within the field of emulsifying, dispersing, solubilizing and wetting products, more precisely for the areas of Crop Solutions, Home Care, Personal Care, Coatings, Oil & Gas, Nutrition & Health and Industrial Applications.

[0006] FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INVENTION

[0007]

[0003] Sustainability is a growing concern in many industries, including the chemical industry. The production of surfactants based on petrochemical feedstocks has a significant environmental impact, including the emission of greenhouse gases and the depletion of non-renewable resources. In addition, many petrochemical surfactants are not readily biodegradable, which can lead to soil and water pollution.

[0008]

[0004] In contrast, surfactants obtained through biological processes from renewable raw materials, also known as biosurfactants, are a more sustainable alternative, as they are produced by microorganisms from renewable sources derived from plant biomass and agricultural waste, and in less intensive processes than conventional chemical syntheses. Furthermore, they are biodegradable and generally have a lower environmental impact compared to petrochemical surfactants.

[0009]

[0005] Biosurfactants (particularly glycolipids) exhibit interesting surface-active properties in terms of detergency, foaming, and wetting, making them candidates for use in product formulations for the Home Care and Personal Care segments, among others. Among the best-known and most widely studied glycolipids are sophorolipids, rhamnolipids, and mannosylerythritol lipids.

[0010]

[0006] With regard to biosurfactants, these molecules with surface-active properties are analogous to surfactants and are produced by microorganisms during biochemical conversion processes (also called fermentations) of substrates of renewable origin, conventionally derived from plant biomass.

[0011]

[0007] In terms of performance, biosurfactants can outperform conventional surfactants (of oleochemical or petrochemical origin) in certain properties, such as detergency. However, it is reported that their performance may not be similar to conventional surfactants in other properties, such as foaming. In particular, foaming is a desirable characteristic in applications in the Home Care and Personal Care segments, where biosurfactants tend to underperform compared to their chemical counterparts.

[0012]

[0008] Thus, it is necessary to develop a process that can generate biosurfactants with performance similar to or superior to conventional surfactants, that do not significantly impact the formulations in which they are used, in terms of texture, viscosity, odor and / or color, and that can be used in Home Care and segments.

[0013] Personal Care, as well as in other sectors such as Crop Solutions, Coatings, Oil & Gas, Nutrition & Health, and Industrial Applications.

[0014]

[0009] In this sense, alkoxylation (a chemical process widely used in industry to obtain chemical intermediates, lubricants and, particularly, surfactants) appears as a viable process for derivatizing biosurfactants, by adding alkylene oxides to compounds containing at least one active hydrogen, using acid or alkaline catalysts, producing (bios)surfactants with desired properties and improved performance in properties of interest.

[0015]

[0010] Ethoxylated products, for example, exhibit surface-active properties, being considered surfactant compounds and possessing hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups. The hydrophobic part of surfactants is generally a long hydrocarbon chain, while the hydrophilic part can be a polar group, in this case, ethylene oxide or propylene oxide chains of different sizes (degrees of ethoxylation or propoxylation, respectively). The nature of these groups can affect the surfactant's solubility, effectiveness in reducing surface tension, and ability to form micelles. The exact chemical structure of an ethoxylated surfactant can vary depending on the number of ethylene oxide units added and the nature of the hydrophobic group, allowing the creation of a wide range of ethoxylated surfactants with varied properties and applications.

[0016]

[0011] In addition, ethoxylated and propoxylated surfactants perform various functions, such as emulsifiers, dispersants, solubilizers, and wetting agents, serving the Crop Solutions, Personal Care, Home Care, Coatings, Oil & Gas, Nutrition & Health, and Industrial Applications markets. Particularly in the Personal Care segment, ethoxylated surfactants are used in products such as shampoos, conditioners, liquid soaps, creams, and lotions, where they perform important functions such as promoting cleansing, conditioning, hydration, emulsification, thickening, and foam stabilization.

[0017]

[0012] However, with regard to biosurf actants, the state of the art is scarce in alkoxylation processes of biosurf actants on a commercial scale that can generate products with characteristics suitable for their use in the various markets indicated above.

[0018]

[0013] Some prior art documents describe alkoxylation processes of surfactants or biosurfactants.

[0019]

[0014] For example, patent document CN111214852B describes an alkoxylation process of sophorolipids, obtaining a "sophorolipid polyoxyethylene ether" (with molecular formula RO(CH2CH2O) n H, where n is a positive integer from 6 < n < 8, and R is sophorolipid as a biodegradable antifoaming agent. In this process, water is added to obtain a water:sophoralipid mass ratio of 27:50 and the ethylene oxide:sophoralipid ratio is 7:1.

[0020]

[0015] Unlike this document, the present invention has a different objective, as it generates products with improved foam formation and / or retention, and not molecules with antifoaming or foam removal capacity. Furthermore, in the present invention, the step prior to alkoxylation is exactly the opposite: while document CN111214852B adds water to the process in a specific proportion, the present invention aims to remove the water present in the raw material (the sopholipid), since its presence hinders the effective alkoxylation of the molecule of interest, due to the reaction's preference for water, with the formation of glycols in high quantities.

[0021]

[0016] In turn, patent document US9650405B2 describes methods for the development of chemically or enzymatically modified sophorolipids, intended for use in dispersion, solubilization and emulsification applications. In Figure 11, the 6' and 6'' positions of the sophorose ring can be alkoxylated by ethylene oxide or a substituted alkylene oxide. However, unlike the present invention, this document focuses primarily on esterification-modified sophorolipids, not presenting examples of methods for obtaining alkoxylated sophorolipids.

[0022]

[0017] Thus, it is clear that there is a need to optimize the derivatization processes of biosurfactants, preferably related to the alkoxylation of biosurfactants.

[0023] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0024]

[0018] The present invention involves the chemical modification of biosurfactants through alkoxylation technology, which is a widely used industrial chemical process for obtaining chemical intermediates, lubricants and, particularly, surfactants. This technology consists of adding alkylene oxides from renewable raw materials, with a number of carbon atoms in the range of C2-C8, to compounds containing at least one active hydrogen, using acid or alkaline catalysts.

[0025]

[0019] In a first embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for producing biosurfactants, comprising:

[0026] (i) To provide a biosurf actant;

[0027] (ii) Remove water from the biosurfing agent;

[0028] (iii) React the biosurfing agent with alkylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst;

[0029] (iv) Obtain an alkoxylated biosurf actant.

[0030]

[0020] In a second embodiment, the present invention relates to the biosurfing agent obtained by the process described above.

[0031]

[0021] In a third embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of the biosurfing agent obtained by the process described above in selected products from the group consisting of shampoos, conditioners, liquid soaps, dermocosmetics, creams and lotions, laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids and surface cleaners.

[0032]

[0022] In a fourth embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of alkylene oxide of renewable origin as an alkoxylation substrate of biosurfactants in a process according to the present invention.

[0033]

[0023] In a fifth embodiment, the present invention relates to biosurfactant compositions and their derivatives obtained by the process according to the present invention, as well as to their use in detergent products.

[0034]

[0024] The process according to the present invention considers and solves several technical challenges to achieve the effective alkoxylation of biosurfactants, such as:

[0035] (i) Presence of water in the raw material: Water must be removed to prevent the formation of glycols during alkoxylation. However, the operation must not cause excessive degradation of the raw material due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

[0036] ( ii ) Molar ratio between epoxide and biosurfing agent: Need to find the ratio that delivers the best foam generation performance.

[0037] (iii) Reaction temperature: Need to find the best temperature setting during the reaction to minimize degradation of the starting material and formation of by-products.

[0038] (iv) Separation of impurities: Need to find process strategies for removing by-products and impurities, such as applying vacuum, bubbling nitrogen and steam, adding oxidizing or reducing agents, and filtration processes.

[0039]

[0025] The main application of the present invention is in the areas of Crop Solutions, Home Care, Personal Care, Coatings, Oil & Gas, Nutrition & Health and Industrial Applications.

[0040]

[0026] Advantageously, the present invention promotes improvements in the physicochemical and / or surfactant properties of sophorolipids or biosurfactants, mainly in foaming. The alkoxylation of biosurfactants, where epoxide groups are added to the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups present in the molecule, can be seen as an advantageous strategy for obtaining a molecule with better performance for foam formation and retention. This is especially relevant since pure liquids do not form foam, making the presence of a foaming agent essential for foam generation and stabilization. In this way, the invention achieves superior performance compared to biosurfactants without derivatization.

[0041]

[0027] Surface tension influences a liquid's ability to wet a surface. Liquids with low surface tension tend to spread more easily, allowing better penetration into hard-to-reach areas, such as skin pores or fabric fibers. This is especially important in cleaning products, where wetting ability is crucial for ensuring effective cleaning. By reducing surface tension, surfactants help disperse oils and greases in water, allowing them to be more easily removed from surfaces.

[0042]

[0028] Low surface tension also facilitates the penetration of cleaning agents into small cracks and pores where dirt may be lodged. This is important to ensure thorough and effective cleaning, even in hard-to-reach areas.

[0043]

[0029] Cleaning products that reduce surface tension tend to leave less residue on the surface after rinsing. This is because low surface tension helps to solubilize residues, allowing them to be removed more completely during rinsing.

[0044]

[0030] These benefits and other advantages of the invention will become more evident from the scope of the detailed description herein.

[0045] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES:

[0046]

[0031] Figure 1 represents, according to the present invention, the dynamic foam analysis results of the ethoxylated biosurfactants. According to the results obtained (A; B), there is a significant difference (P>0.05) in the ethoxylated products for the initial foam, where (A) signifies an increase in foam while (B) is statistically lower.

[0047]

[0032] Figure 2 represents, according to the present invention, the results of dynamic analysis of initial foam of ethoxylated biosurfactants, with an active concentration of 0.5% v / v, where (A) signifies an increase in foam, while (B and C) are statistically lower.

[0048] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049]

[0033] The present invention aims to improve the physicochemical properties of sophorolipids through chemical modification of their structure, in order to favor, among other characteristics, the formation and retention of foam.

[0050]

[0034] In a first embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for producing biosurfactants, comprising:

[0051] (i) To provide a biosurf actant;

[0052] (ii) Remove water from the biosurfing agent;

[0053] (iii) React the biosurfing agent with alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalyst;

[0054] (iv) Obtain an alkoxylated biosurf actant.

[0055]

[0035] In a second embodiment, the present invention relates to the biosurfing agent obtained by the process described above.

[0056]

[0036] In a third embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of the biosurfing agent obtained by the process described above in selected products from the group consisting of shampoos, conditioners, liquid soaps, dermocosmetics, creams and lotions, laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids and surface cleaners.

[0057]

[0037] In a fourth embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of alkylene oxide of renewable origin as an alkoxylation substrate of biosurfactants in a process according to the present invention.

[0058]

[0038] In a fifth embodiment, the present invention relates to biosurfactant compositions and their derivatives obtained by the process according to the present invention, as well as to their use in detergent products.

[0059]

[0039] In one embodiment of the invention, the biosurfactant is a material selected from the group consisting of glycolipids, preferably sophorolipids, rhamnolipids, mannosylethyl tritol lipids, trehalolipids and mixtures thereof, more preferably sophorolipids, in either acidic or lactonic forms.

[0060]

[0040] Biosurfing agents may have a high water content, which can favor the formation of glycols through the preferential reaction of water with alkylene oxides, impairing the use of biosurfing agents in personal care applications, due to changes in foam formation and viscosity, thus affecting the performance of the formulation.

[0061]

[0041] Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the drying or removal of water from the biosurfactant is carried out under heating at a temperature of about 80 to about 150°C, preferably from about 90 to about 135°C, for a period between about 1 h and about 24 h, preferably from about 1.5 h and about 24 h, with the application of vacuum (absolute pressure < 100 mmHg) and using gas flow in the mass. In a preferred embodiment, the gas is selected from nitrogen, helium or argon. It is worth noting that such drying conditions vary according to the volume of material to be dried.

[0062]

[0042] The amount of alkylene oxide determines the degree of alkoxylation, which in turn determines the properties of the alkoxylated surfactant product. In the context of the invention, alkylene oxides with a number of carbon atoms in the Cz-Cs range are used, selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, pentene oxide, hexene oxide, heptene oxide, octene oxide, styrene oxide, or mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, alkylene oxides with a number of carbon atoms in the C2-C4 range are used, selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, or mixtures thereof.

[0063]

[0043] Within the scope of the present invention, the reaction step of the biosurfactants with alkylene oxides occurs at temperatures ranging from 100°C to 200°C (+ / -5°C), preferably from 110°C to 180°C (+ / -5°C), and particularly preferably from 115°C to 160°C (+ / -5°C). In this step, the reaction pressure varied between about 1 and about 15 kgf / cm². 2 , preferably between about 1 and about

[0064] 10 kgf / cm 2 , using alkylene oxide (EO or PO) injection times ranging from about 0.5 to about 8 hours, preferably from about 1 to about 4 hours.

[0065]

[0044] In the context of the invention, the acid catalysts are selected from the group consisting of: Bronsted acids, such as sulfuric acid (H2SO4), hydrochloric acid (HCl), methanesulfonic acid (MSA), p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA), xylenesulfonic acid (XSA) or trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TESA); Lewis acids, such as aluminum chloride (AlCl3), zinc chloride (ZnCl2), tin(IV) chloride (SnCl4), boron trifluoride (BF3); zeolites, such as zeolite Y (HY) or zeolite ZSM-5; sulfonated ion exchange resins, such as Amberlyst-15; heteropolyacids (HPA), such as tungsten tophosphoric acid (H3PW). i2 04o), silicotungstic acid (H4SiWi2O 40 ) or fos f omolybdic acid (H3PMoi20 40 ); or superacids, such as fluoroantimonic acid (HSbF6) or fluorosulfuric acid (HSO3F).

[0066]

[0045] In the context of the invention, alkaline catalysts are selected from the group consisting of: metal hydroxides, such as potassium hydroxide (KOH), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), barium hydroxide (Ba(OH)2) or calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2); metal alkoxides, such as sodium methylate (NaOCH3), sodium ethylate (NaOEt), sodium propoxide (NaOPr), potassium methylate (KOCH3) or potassium ethylate (KOEt); amines, such as triethylamine (TEA), triethanolamine (TEOA), piperidine, or other tertiary amines, such as tributylamine (TBA) or trioctylamine (TOA); metal oxides, such as calcium oxide (CaO) or magnesium oxide (MgO); transition metal complexes, such as titanium complexes, like titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4), or tin complexes, like tin octoate (Sn(Oct)2), or phosphazenes, like hexachlorophosphazene (C16N3P3).

[0067]

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, basic catalysts are used, selected from NaOH or KOH, in concentrations ranging from about 0.01 to about 1% w / w, preferably from about 0.1 to about 0.5% w / w relative to the mass of dry biosurf actant.

[0068]

[0047] In the context of the invention, the obtained alkoxylated biosurfing agent exhibits some relevant properties, such as:

[0069] • Critical micelle concentration (CMC; g / L, at 25°C) between 0.1 and 0.8 g / L depending on the degree of ethoxylation, measured according to ISO 4311: 1979;

[0070] • Surface tension (mN / m; 25°C, 0.1%m / v) between 37 and 41 depending on the degree of ethoxylation, measured according to ASTM 1331 - 14;

[0071] • Flat contact angle (°) (25°C, 0, l%m / v, Parafilm substrate) between 76 and 80, measured according to ASTM D7334-08.

[0072]

[0048] Alkylene oxides can be obtained from the cracking of hydrocarbons and oxygen. However, the present invention considers both the benefits of alkoxylation technologies in generating various surfactants, and the environmental impacts related to conventionally employed raw materials. The latter refers to the fact that the present invention considers the use of alkylene oxides of green / sustainable origin, replacing hydrocarbon derivatives; as well as replacing conventionally used fatty alcohols as raw materials, whose origin is related to unsustainable agricultural practices, with biosurfactants that are also derived from sustainable sources.

[0073]

[0049] To this end, the present invention considers the use of so-called green alkylene oxide, produced from renewable raw materials. As a non-exhaustive example, "green ethylene oxide" can be used (which is derived from the catalytic dehydration of ethanol, which is produced from renewable raw materials, such as sugarcane and corn, in the case of Brazil), or even "green propylene oxide". Thus, within the scope of the present invention, alkylene oxides of renewable origin can be used as a substrate for the derivatization of biosurfactants.

[0074]

[0050] The alkoxylated biosurfactant according to the present invention can be used as an emulsifier, dispersant, solubilizer or wetting agent in the areas of Crop Solutions, Home Care, Personal Care, Coatings, Oil & Gas, Nutrition & Health and Industrial Applications; or, also, in selected products from the group consisting of shampoos, conditioners, liquid soaps, dermocosmetics, creams and lotions, laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids and surface cleaners.

[0075]

[0051] The alkoxylated biosurfing agent according to the present invention can be used in compositions at concentrations in the range of about 0 to about 20% w / w. Preferably, a composition applicable to the various areas described in the present application may comprise at least one biosurfing agent at concentrations in the range of about 5 to about 10% w / w, and additionally anionic surfactants in the range of about 0% to about 20% w / w, preferably from about 5 to about 10% w / w, amphoteric surfactants from about 0.5 to about 2% w / w, their combinations with fragrances, rheology modifiers and sequestrants.

[0076]

[0052] To demonstrate its potential, the present invention will also be described in more detail with regard to the embodied examples. It should be noted that the following description is only intended to elucidate the understanding of the proposed invention and to reveal, in more detail, the embodiment of the invention without limiting it to the same. Thus, variables similar to the examples are also included in the scope of the invention.

[0077] Examples of Implementation

[0078] Example 1 (Comparative)

[0079]

[0053] A comparative example was performed following the reaction conditions expressed in patent document CN111214852B. A comparative table is presented below with glycol formation data from the ethoxylated products without water removal (following Chinese patent CN111214852B) and with water removal, which is how it is being proposed in the present invention.

[0080] Table 1: Glycol content in a process without water removal (according to the prior art) and with water removal (according to the present invention)

[0081] *LQ = Limit of Quantification

[0082]

[0054] As can be seen above, the high formation of glycols in the tests without water removal justifies the inclusion of this step in the ethoxylation process. The ethylene oxide:sophorolipid ratio in the process described in patent CN111214852B is 7:1. This ratio in the present invention was included as a comparison experiment and using sophorolipid without water removal, observing an unsatisfactory ethoxylation result, with high glycol formation and no robust evidence of sophorolipid ethoxylation. This demonstrated the need to remove water from the raw material and adjust the ethylene oxide:sophorolipid ratio to obtain the desired product.

[0083] Example 2

[0084]

[0055] The sor orolipid was dried in solution prior to ethoxylation to minimize the formation of polyethylene glycol. Drying was performed by applying a vacuum (absolute pressure <= 100 mmHg), at a temperature ranging from 90°C to 135°C, with a nitrogen flow through the mass, for a minimum period of 2 hours, until the material was completely dry.

[0085]

[0056] After drying, the material was subjected to alkoxylation using ethylene oxide or green propylene oxide under the following conditions: T=140+ / -5°C, pressure 1 to 10 kgf / cm². 2 , catalyst concentration (NaOH or KOH 0.1 to 0.5% wt relative to the mass of dry sopholipid), EO or PO injection time: 1 to 4 hours. No solvent was added in the process.

[0086]

[0057] With regard to the application of ethoxylated biosurfactants, in the present invention several technical challenges were considered and overcome to achieve stable, high-performance formulas: - Greater volume and foam stability:

[0087]

[0058] Tests were conducted using the KRÜSS Dynamic Foam Analyzer DFA 100. Through dynamic foam analysis, it is possible to evaluate foam stability by measuring properties such as liquid drainage, foam height, and changes in bubbles over time. Using images, the method analyzes the foam structure through the distribution of bubble size and stability metrics. The results can be seen in Figure 1 and Table 2.

[0088] Table 2 - Results of dynamic foam analysis (Concentration: 10 g / L; Sample volume: 50 mL)

[0089]

[0059] Tests were conducted with different concentrations of active ingredients to identify the minimum limit of differentiation in foam volume. It was observed that this minimum differentiation concentration is 0.5%, showing a statistically significant improvement in relation to the initial foam volume. The results can be seen in Figure 2 and Table 3.

[0090] Table 3 Results of dynamic foam analysis (Concentration: 10 g / L; Sample volume: 50 mL)

[0091] Table 3 continued

[0092] Performance evaluation:

[0093]

[0060] Tests to evaluate cleaning effectiveness on hair fibers, fabrics and surfaces, as well as sensory aspects and makeup removal with high efficiency, considering the possibility of reducing the product dosage for minimalist formulations.

[0094] Stability in household cleaning and personal hygiene formulations:

[0095]

[0061] Stability assessment at various temperatures (5 o Tests conducted at temperatures between 25°C and 40°C for a period of 3 months to ensure the preservation of the physicochemical properties of the products, avoiding any undesirable alterations, demonstrated that ethoxylated biosurfactants exhibit excellent compatibility with the other ingredients that make up the formulations without causing changes in physicochemical properties.

[0096]

[0062] Regarding the production process, the present invention includes the following technical contributions:

[0097] • Establishing operating conditions for the alkoxylation of biosurfactants, particularly sophorolipids, on a pilot scale. It is noteworthy that, as previously indicated and with the exception of patent CN111214852B, no studies addressing this process were found, therefore the present invention describes for the first time the protocol for the effective production of alkoxylated sophorolipids.

[0098] • Defining the operations necessary to prepare the raw material for its subsequent alkoxylation, specifically regarding water removal. This reduces the formation of glycols during alkoxylation.

[0099]

[0063] With regard to application, the present invention favors better foam volume formation and greater foam retention, since after 5 minutes there is less decay compared to the product without ethoxylation, as can be seen from the results presented in Figure 2. In this sense, the present invention includes the following technical contributions.

[0100] • Establishing an additive process for formulations of laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids, surface cleaners, creams, lotions, hair masks, micellar water, shampoos, balms, and personal care and cleaning products in general.

[0101] • Performance in relation to cleaning attributes on hair and fabric fibers, sensory feel, foam formation, makeup removal, and surface cleaning such as glass, mirrors, ceramics, among others.

[0102] Application of the present invention in other formulations

[0103]

[0064] The embodiment of the invention can be seen in the examples of formulations described below, however, they are not limited to them.

[0104] Table 4: Example of application of the ethoxylated biosurfactant obtained in a shampoo formulation.

[0105]

[0065] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the knowledge presented here and will be able to reproduce the invention in the embodiments presented and in other variants, covered within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Biosurfactant derivatization process, characterized by the fact that it comprises: (i) To provide a biosurf actant; (ii) Remove water from the biosurfing agent; (iii) React the biosurfing agent with alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalyst; (iv) Obtain an alkoxylated biosurf actant.

2. Process, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it uses previously selected biosurfactants from the group consisting of glycolipids, preferably sophorolipids, rhamnolipids, mannosylerythritol lipids, trehalolipids and mixtures thereof, more preferably sophorolipids, in either acidic or lactonic forms.

3. Process, according to claim 1, characterized in that the drying or removal of water from the biosurfing agent is carried out under heating at a temperature of about 80°C to about 150°C, for a period between about 1 h and 24 h, using gas flow in the mass.

4. Process according to claim 3, characterized in that the gas is selected from nitrogen, helium or argon.

5. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that alkylene oxides of renewable origin, with a number of carbon atoms in the range of C2-C8, are selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, pentene oxide, hexene oxide, heptene oxide, octene oxide, styrene oxide, or mixtures thereof.

6. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the reaction step of the biosurfactants with alkylene oxides occurs at a temperature ranging from 100°C to 200°C (+ / -5°C), with a pressure between about 1 and about 15 kgf / cm². 2 , and injection time of alkylene oxides from about 0.5 to about 8 hours.

7. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the catalysts are acid catalysts selected from the group consisting of Bronsted acids, such as sulfuric acid (H2SO4), hydrochloric acid (HCl), methanesulfonic acid (MSA), p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA), xylenesulfonic acid (XSA) or trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFSA); Lewis acids, such as aluminum chloride (AlCl3), zinc chloride (ZnCl2), tin(IV) chloride (SnCl4), boron trifluoride (BF3); zeolites, such as zeolite Y (HY) or zeolite ZSM-5; sulfonated ion exchange resins, such as Amberlyst-15; heteropolyacids (HPAs), such as tungstophosphoric acid (H3PW). i2 04o), silicotungstic acid (H4SiWi2O 40 ) or fos f omolybdic acid (H3PMoi20 40 ); or superacids, such as fluoroantimonic acid (HSbF6) or fluorosulfuric acid (HSO3F).

8. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the catalysts are basic catalysts selected from the group consisting of metal hydroxides, such as potassium hydroxide (KOH), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), barium hydroxide (Ba(OH)2) or calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2); metal alkoxides, such as sodium methylate (NaOCH3), sodium ethylate (NaOEt), sodium propoxide (NaOPr), potassium methylate (KOCH3) or potassium ethylate (KOEt); amines, such as triethylamine (TEA), triethanolamine (TEOA), piperidine, or other tertiary amines, such as tributylamine (TEA) or trioctylamine (TOA); metal oxides, such as calcium oxide (CaO) or magnesium oxide (MgO); transition metal complexes, such as titanium complexes, like titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4), or tin complexes, like tin octoate (Sn(Oct)2), or phosphazenes, like hexachlorophosphazene (C16N3P3).

9. Biosurfing agent, characterized in that it is obtained by a process as defined in claim 1.

10. Use of a biosurfactant, obtained by a process as defined in claim 1, characterized by being an emulsifier, dispersant, solubilizer or wetting agent in the areas of Crop Solutions, Home Care, Personal Care, Coatings, Oil & Gas, Nutrition & Health and Industrial Applications.

11. Use of a biosurfing agent, obtained by a process as defined in claim 1, characterized in that it is used in selected products from the group consisting of shampoos, conditioners, liquid soaps, dermocosmetics, creams and lotions, laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids and surface cleaners.

12. Use of alkylene oxide of renewable origin, characterized by being used as a substrate for the derivatization of biosurfactants in a process as defined in claim 1.

13. Composition characterized by comprising at least one biosurfing agent, obtained by a process as defined in claim 1, in concentrations in the range of about 0 to about 20% w / w.

14. Composition according to claim 14, characterized by comprising at least one biosurfactant in concentrations in the range of about 5 to about 10% w / w, and additionally anionic surfactants in the range of about 0% to about 20% w / w, amphoteric surfactants from about 0.5 to about 2% w / w, their combinations with fragrances, rheology modifiers and sequestrants.

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