Rhamnolipid biosurfactant production by strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa using low-cost raw materials

Pattanathu Rahman, Thahira J. Rahman, Stephen McClean, Roger Marchant, Ibrahim M. Banat

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    Abstract

    This study was aimed at the development of economical methods for higher yields of biosurfactant by suggesting the use of low-cost raw materials. Two oil-degrading strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa GS9-119 and DS10-129, were used to optimize a substrate for maximum rhamnolipid production. Among the two strains, the latter produced maxima of 4.31, 2.98, and 1.77 g/L rhamnolipid biosurfactant using soybean oil, safflower oil, and glycerol, respectively. The yield of biosurfactant steadily increased even after the bacterial cultures reached the stationary phase of growth. Characterization of rhamnolipids using mass spectrometry revealed the presence of dirhamnolipids (Rha-Rha-C10-C10). Emulsification activity of the rhamnolipid biosurfactant produced by P. aeruginosa DS10-129 was greater than 70% using all the hydrocarbons tested, including xylene, benzene, hexane, crude oil, kerosene, gasoline, and diesel. P. aeruginosa GS9-119 emulsified only hexane and kerosene to that level.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1277-1281
    Number of pages5
    JournalBiotechnology Progress
    Volume18
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2002

    Bibliographical note

    subject to Restrictions below, author can archive publisher's version/PDF. For full details see http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/ [Accessed 15/11/2010]

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