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Rhamnolipid Biosurfactant Production by Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using Low‐Cost Raw Materials
Author(s) -
Rahman K. S. M.,
Rahman Thahira J.,
McClean Stephen,
Marchant Roger,
Banat Ibrahim M.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
biotechnology progress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.572
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6033
pISSN - 8756-7938
DOI - 10.1021/bp020071x
Subject(s) - rhamnolipid , kerosene , chemistry , pseudomonas aeruginosa , raw material , food science , glycerol , hexane , xylene , diesel fuel , bacteria , chromatography , organic chemistry , biology , benzene , genetics
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‐C 10 –C 10 ). 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.