BIOSURFACTANT PRODUCTION BY RHODOCOCCUS ERYTHROPOLIS AND ITS APPLICATION TO OIL REMOVAL
Brazilian Journal Of Microbiology
BIOSURFACTANT PRODUCTION BY RHODOCOCCUS ERYTHROPOLIS AND ITS APPLICATION TO OIL REMOVAL
Autor Correspondente: Nei Pereira Junior | [email protected]
Palavras-chave: Biosurfactant production, oil removal, Rhodococcus erythropolis
Resumos Cadastrados
Resumo Inglês:
The influence of different nutrients on biosurfactant production by Rhodococcus erythropolis was
investigated. Increasing the concentration of phosphate buffer from 30 up through 150 mmol/L stimulated
an increase in biosurfactant production, which reached a maximum concentration of 285 mg/L in shaken
flasks. Statistical analysis showed that glycerol, NaNO3, MgSO4 and yeast extract had significant effects on
production. The results were confirmed in a batchwise bioreactor, and semi-growth-associated production
was detected. Reduction in the surface tension, which indicates the presence of biosurfactant, reached a
value of 38 mN/m at the end of 35 hours. Use of the produced biosurfactant for washing crude oilcontaminated
soil showed that 2 and 4 times the critical micellar concentration (CMC) were able to remove
97 and 99% of the oil, respectively, after 1 month of impregnation.
