Characterization and properties of the biosurfactant produced by Candida lipolytica UCP 0988

Background: Biotechnological processes are costly, especially for the production of biosurfactants. The successful production of a biosurfactant is dependent on the development of processes using low cost raw materials. Considering the importance of the characteristics of a biosurfactant to facilita...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Raquel Diniz Rufino, Juliana Moura de Luna, Galba Maria de Campos Takaki, Leonie Asfora Sarubbo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2014-01-01
Series:Electronic Journal of Biotechnology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0717345813000079
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Summary:Background: Biotechnological processes are costly, especially for the production of biosurfactants. The successful production of a biosurfactant is dependent on the development of processes using low cost raw materials. Considering the importance of the characteristics of a biosurfactant to facilitate its industrial application, the properties of the biosurfactant produced by Candida lipolytica through previously optimized medium have been established. Results: The yeast was grown for 72 h to determine the kinetics of growth and production. The surface tension of the cell-free broth was reduced from 55 to 25 mN/m. The yield of biosurfactant was 8.0 g/l with a CMC of 0.03%. The biosurfactant was characterized as an anionic lipopeptide composed of 50% protein, 20% lipids, and 8% of carbohydrates. Conclusions: The isolated biosurfactant showed no toxicity against different vegetable seeds: Brassica oleracea, Solanum gilo and Lactuca sativa L. and the micro-crustacean Artemia salina. The properties of the biosurfactant produced suggest its potential application in industries that require the use of effective compounds at low cost.
ISSN:0717-3458