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

K. S. Rahman, T. J. Rahman, Stephen McClean, R Marchant, Ibrahim Banat

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

253 Citations (Scopus)

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-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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1277-1281
JournalBiotechnology Progress
Volume18
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - Nov 2002

Bibliographical note

LR: 20061115; PUBM: Print; JID: 8506292; 0 (Emulsions); 0 (Glycolipids); 0 (Hydrocarbons); 0 (Surface-Active Agents); 0 (rhamnolipid); 56-81-5 (Glycerol); 8001-22-7 (Soybean Oil); 8001-23-8 (Safflower Oil); ppublish

Keywords

  • Emulsions
  • Glycerol/metabolism
  • Glycolipids/biosynthesis/chemistry/economics
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa/chemistry/metabolism
  • Safflower Oil/metabolism
  • Soybean Oil/metabolism
  • Surface-Active Agents/economics

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