Biosurfactant production of a benzene-tolerant Rhodococcus strain

Issue Date

6-2007

Abstract

A benzene-tolerant Rhodococcus strain was grown in different carbon sources to determine biosurfactant production and activity of the surface-active component of the cell. The highest biomass of 8.83 g/L was obtained when Rhodococcus sp. 33 was grown in phosphate ammonium salts (PAS) with benzene and mannitol. Biosurfactant production was not observed when the organism was grown solely in benzene; however, it was produced when mannitol was used as a carbon source. The surface-active compound of Rhodococcus sp. 33 is hypothesized to be cell-bound since no surfactant was detected in the supernatant. Cultures of the bacterium were extracted with chloroform/methanol to extract the surface-active component. The biosurfactant properties of the cell extract were determined. Surface tensiometry revealed that the extract had a surface tension of 32-40 mJ/m2, which was comparable to microorganisms known to produce biosurfactants and an emulsion index of 48.8% compared to 60% and 37.77% of Triton N-101 and 10% sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), respectively.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Agricultural Scientist

ISSN

317454

Volume

90

Issue

2

Page

103-111

Document Type

Article

Language

English

Subject

Biosurfactant, Carbon source, Rhodococcus sp., Surface tension

Digital Copy

none

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