Lipophilic bacteria
Lipophilic bacteria (
Types
They include
However, the group of lipophilic bacteria are not pathogenic, i.e. they don't cause
Evolutionary reason
In terms of
Health risks
Most materials in laboratories and health-care centers have small amounts of lipids on their surface, and thus may support the proliferation of lipophilic bacteria.[5] However, since they are not pathogenic,[3] this is not a serious threat.
Lipophilic bacteria may also proliferate in diet fat. However, in modern food industry this is very rare[3] and at worst causes a discoloration of the fat.[3]
Commercial use
Many lipophilic bacteria are a good source of biosurfactants, hence are used commercially, e.g. Bacillus licheniformis. These kinds of bacteria produce biosurfactants which replace chemically produced surfactants. Biosurfactants are degradable unlike the chemical ones.[citation needed]