Wastewater treatment enhancement by applying a lipopeptide biosurfactant to a lignocellulosic biocomposite

•Biosurfactant boosts hydrogel capacity in removing pollutants from vinasses.•Adsorption kinetics of biosurfactant-modified biocomposites follow pseudo-second order.•Both intraparticle and liquid film diffusions control the bioadsorption.•Biosurfactant-modified biopolymer increased roughness, sharpness and roundness. In this work, a natural lipopeptide biosurfactant obtained from corn steep liquor was included in the formulation of a lignocellulosic biocomposite used for the treatment of wastewater. The results obtained indicate that the dye sorption capacity of the hydrogel containing hydrolysed vineyard pruning waste can be significantly promoted via surfactant modification using natural detergents. The elimination of dye compounds and the removal of sulphates were increased around 10% and 62%, respectively, when the biocomposite modified with biosurfactant was used. This outcome can be intrinsically related to the rougher, rounder, more compact and better-emulsified sphere achieved after the addition of the lipopeptide biosurfactant. The bioadsorption process followed a pseudo-second order kinetic model and both intraparticle diffusion and liquid film diffusion were involved in the bioadsorption mechanism. Therefore, the utilisation of biosurfactants shows great potential in the formulation of eco-friendly adsorbents for environmental application.