Abstract: The invention relates to sophoroselipids of formula (I) wherein R4 represents H, —CH2CH3, —CH2CH2CH3, n is an integer number from 2 to 27, R1 and R2 represent, independently from each other, H or a group of formula (II), and R3 represents H or —OH. The invention also relates to a method for producing sophoroselipids of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3 and n have the aforementioned meanings and R4 represents —CH3, —CH2CH3 or —CH2CH2CH3. According to this method, a yeast capable of secreting a sophoroselipid in the form of a lactone in the culture excess, is fermented in a culture medium containing a glycerin. a succinate, a mono-, di- and/or tri-saccharide and a lipid precursor, said sophoroslipid being then isolated from the culture solution. The inventive method is characterised in that the lipid precursor contains one or more 3-alkanols, 4-alkanols or an alkanone with a chain length from 6 to 30 carbon atoms or mixtures of said alkanoistalkanone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to glucose- and sophorose-lipids of the formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.4 is --OH or a group of the formula II, ##STR2## n is an integer from 2 to 26, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are, independently of one another, H or ##STR3## R.sup.3 is H or --OH in the case where R.sup.4 is --OH, and is H or --OH or a group of the formula III, ##STR4## in the case where R.sup.4 is a group of the formula II, to a process for obtaining them by fermentation, and to their use as surfactants.