Biosurfactant production by Pseudomonas fluorescens UCP 1514 using corn steep as substrate

Abstract

Biosurfactants are natural surfactants produced by microorganisms, being classified in accordance with their chemical composition, microbial origin and molecular mass. In this way, the production of a biosurfactant by Pseudomonas fluorescens UCP1514 was initially studied to evaluate the influence of the following culture medium components, named: sunflower seed oil (post-frying), burned oil of motor and industrial waste (corn steep) on the surface tension reduction. The best surface tension (31,68 and 33,72 mN / m) were found in medium containing, respectively,(5 % corn steep and 5% and burned oil of motor) and (10% of corn steep and 5% sun flower oil post-frying). The growth kinetics demonstrated that the stationary phase was reached in the first 24 hours of cultivation. The best emulsification indexes had been observed with corn oil and Oil. The promising results obtained indicate the viability of powerful biosurfactants produced from low-cost medium based on corn steep.