African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12501

Full Length Research Paper

Production of a rhamnolipid-type biosurfactant by Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBM10 grown on glycerol

  Célia Francisca Centeno da Rosa1, Mariano Michelon1, Janaína Fernandes de Medeiros Burkert1, Susana Juliano Kalil2 and Carlos André Veiga Burkert1*  
  1Bioprocess Engineering Laboratory, School of Chemistry and Food, Federal University of Rio Grande, 96201-900, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil. 2Microbiology Laboratory, School of Chemistry and Food, Federal University of Rio Grande, 96201-900, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 15 November 2010
  •  Published: 27 December 2010

Abstract

 

The work herewith investigated the effect of the culture medium composition on rhamnolipid production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBM10, previously isolated from an estuarine environment in Southern Brazil. Experimental design and surface response methodology were used in order to improve biosurfactant production using glycerol, a renewable carbon source. The assays were carried out in a rotary shaker at 30°C and 180 rpm for 120 h and the parameters studied were glycerol concentration, C/N (carbon/nitrogen) and C/P (carbon/phosphorus) ratios. Low glycerol concentration and a phosphorus-limiting condition were favorable for rhamnolipid production. Contour plots constructed by predictive polynomial equations led to a glycerol concentration of 13.2 g/l, a C/N ratio of 12.8 and a C/P ratio of 40 in order to maximize rhamnolipid concentration (4.15 g/l) associated with a high emulsification index  (61%).  

 

Key words: Biosurfactant, surface-active compounds, experimental design, phosphorus limitation.