Antibacterial and Anticancer activity of Glycolipid Biosurfactant from Manglicolous Yeast Geotrichum candidum PV 37

Abstract

Bioprospecting potentials of manglicolous yeasts are noteworthy. They have been considered a potent source of biosurfactants. In this perspective, 99 strains (PV1-99) isolated from the mangrove forest of Puthuvype, Kerala, India were screened for the production of biosurfactants. These yeasts were analyzed by the oil displacement test with 5 different oils (sunflower, olive, gingelly, diesel, coconut). Out of these 99 isolates, PV 37 Geotrichum candidum was found to be the most potent strain. The physical and chemical characterization of the biosurfactant of PV 37 revealed that it was glycolipid in nature. This was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The maximum yield of the biosurfactant obtained was 2.8 g/L after 120 hrs of incubation. The biosurfactant exhibited stability in a wide range of temperatures, pH, and salinity. In the prevailing scenario of multidrug resistance and limitations of chemotherapeutic agents, the search is on for safe therapeutic agents. As the biosurfactant of PV 37 displayed cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell line MCF-7 as well as antibacterial against MDR Gram-negative bacteria, it indicates its possible application in the pharmaceutical industry