Comparative Study of Biosurfactant Synthesis by Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from Clinical and Environmental Samples.
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2012
Authors
Agwu, O.
Ilori, M.O
Adebusoye, S.A.
Amund, O.O
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Evaluation of emulsifying activities indicates that biosurfactants were produced by an environmental
(strain EPl) and a clinical (strain EPl) species of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. During growth on
hydrocarbons, the organisms produced biosurfactants. Both strains grew luxuriantly on motor oil and
readily synthesized abundant surfactants at the expense of easily metabolizable substrates. During a12
day cultivation on motor oil, the organisms produced growth associated extracellular surfactants with
emulsification activities of 71 and 38% for EPl and CPl, respectively. The general times obtained for
EPl and CPl were 1.74 and 2.66 days. The biosurfactants that could not be secreted on glucose were
partially purified and putatively identified as rhamnolipids. The surface-active compounds present
high emulsification activity and stability in the pH range of 3.0-10.0, temperature range of 4oC-100oC,
and salinity range of 16 -44% and are capable of stabilizing oil-in-water emulsions with several
hydrocarbons. Typical emulsions produced were stable for several weeks. The results also showed
that the biosurfactants were able to remove a significant amount of crude oil from contaminated soil;
for instance, strain EPl surfactant removed 54%, CPl 41%, detergent 42%, and water 30%. The
rhamnolipids from these strains represent a new class of biosurfactants that have potential for use in a
variety of biotechnological and industrial applications where extremes of pH, thermal, and saline
conditions would have little or no effect on activity.
Description
To access the full text contact the University of Lagos Library OR Dr. (Mrs.) Y. A. Zaid yzaid@unilag.edu.ng OR Dr. C. O. Okiki cokiki@unilag.edu.ng
Keywords
Biosurfactants , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Metabolizable substrates , Rhamnolipids
Citation
Comparative Study of Biosurfactant Synthesis by Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from Clinical and Environmental Samples. Petroleum Science and Technology 30: 1-15.