Abstract
Mannosylerythritol lipids (MEL) are microbial biosurfactants belonging to the class of glycolipids. They can be produced biotechnologically by smut fungi and have the potential to replace current chemical surfactant products, for example in household detergents or cosmetics. In this article, we highlight our latest research on the various producer organisms as well as the genetics and regulation of MEL biosynthesis, aiming for the development of an industrial production process in the future.