Properties of biosurfactant produced by Pseudomonas putida grown in Crude Palm Oil (CPO)

Abstract

Biosurfactants produced by Pseudomonas putida grown on crude palm oil (CPO) as carbon source have been characterized. Biosurfactant was produced in nutrient broth medium containing NaCl and 10% v/v of crude palm oil (CPO) with 5 days of incubation time. Biosurfactants are able to reduce water surface tension from 72 to 54 mN/m and has a CMC (Critical Micelle Concentration) value of 798 mg/L. Biosurfactant has a water in oil (w/o) emulsion system. Biosurfactants are able to form emulsions between water and several hydrocarbons, including benzene, lubricating oil, palm oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil and olive oil. The largest emulsion index of 83% is obtained from the water emulsion with lubricating oil and can last up to 30 days.