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Dynamic and equilibrium surface tensions of surfactin aqueous solutions

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Journal of Surfactants and Detergents

Abstract

A homologous series of surfactins containing β-hydroxy fatty acids having 13, 14, or 15 carbon atoms were isolated from the supernatant of Bacillus subtilis strain S499 cultures. Their surface-active properties at the air-water interface were then evaluated. Dynamic surface tension data were analyzed by the relaxation function γt=γm+(γo−γm)/[1+(t/t*)n]. Based on various parameters t*, n, vmax, γm calculated from this equation, the dynamic surface properties of surfactin were found to depend on both bulk concentration and hydrophobic character of the alkyl chain. At low concentrations of surfactin, the dynamic surface tension (γd) decreased with increasing carbon atom number of the surfactin alkyl chain (n=13 to 15). However, at high concentrations, the maximum decrease of 41-4 was achieved by surfactin-C14. In contrast, more strongly hydrophobic alkyl chains in surfactins always enhanced their ability in reducing the equilibrium surface tensions and their aptitude in forming micelles.

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Abbreviations

CMC:

critical micelle concentration

HPLC:

high-performance liquid chromatography

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unité de Chimie Biologique Industrielle, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, 5030, Gembloux, Belgium

    Hary Razafindralambo & Michel Paquox

  2. Centre Wallon de Biologie Industrielle, Université de Liège, 4000, Liège, Belgium

    Philippe Thonart

Authors
  1. Hary Razafindralambo
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  2. Philippe Thonart
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  3. Michel Paquox
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Correspondence to Michel Paquox.

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Razafindralambo, H., Thonart, P. & Paquox, M. Dynamic and equilibrium surface tensions of surfactin aqueous solutions. J Surfact Deterg 7, 41–46 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11743-004-0286-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11743-004-0286-x

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