Effects of Different Carbon Sources on Biosurfactant Production by a Pseudomonas fluorescens Isolate

Abstract

The production and surface active properties of biosurfactants synthesized by a strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens using different carbon sources were investigated. Biosurfactant synthesis was determined by measuring surface tension and emulsifying index of the product. The microorganism was able to grow and produce biosurfactants on the various carbon sources. Maximum production of biosurfactants, based on CMC^-1, was obtained with soybean oil as carbon source. The minimum surface tension value of 40.3 dynes/cm was obtained with glucose as carbon source while soybean oil gave the highest surface tension value of 48.2 dynes/cm. The biosurfactants produced by the microorganism were able to form stable emulsions with various oils. The emulsification index ranged between 55% and 76%. The Pseudomonas fluorescens isolate used in the present study is a good microorganism for production of biosurfactants that have useful properties for many industrial applications.

Keywords: Biosurfactant, Carbon sources, Microbial isolate, Pseudomonas fluorescens