Production of biosurfactant by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PB3A using agro-industrial wastes as a carbon source

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate Pseudomonas aeruginosa PB3A strain for the production of biosurfactant using agro-industrial waste as a carbon source. Methodology and results: P. aeruginosa PB3A strain was isolated from oil contaminated soil and was found to be a potential biosurfactant producing microorganism based on the following screening methods; hemolytic activity, drop collapse test, emulsification activity and surface tension measurement. The identification of the isolate was confirmed by 16S rRNA sequencing. The isolate exploited for the application of agro industrial wastes such as used castor oil, coconut oil, corn oil, motor oil, olive oil, olein, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, barley bran, cassava flour waste, peanut cake, potato waste, rice bran and wheat bran for biosurfactant production by replacing the existing carbon source. Among the cheap substrates, both the used corn oil and cassava waste flour showed maximum productivity of 0.62 mg/mL and 0.60 mg/mL respectively when cultivated independently in the MSM medium. Conclusion, significance and impact study: Present study was aimed at the application of agro-industrial wastes for biosurfactant production. The study indicates that agro-industrial wastes can be used as inexpensive substrates by replacing synthetic media for the production of biosurfactant.