Summary
Corynebacterium lepus grown in a mineral salts medium containing glucose as the sole carbon source produced a significant amount of cell-bound surfactant. Some alkenes or a mixture of alkenes added to a water suspension of the cells released a considerable amount of surfactant from the cells. Both surface and interfacial tensions of the suspension were reduced to 30–32 mN/m and 1–2 mN/m respectively as a consequence of this release. According to the dynamics of surfactant release, it is assumed that some alkenes easily “flow” into the cells, predominantly through direct contact with these hydrocarbons.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cooper, D.G., Zajic, J.E., Cairns, W.L., and Kosaric, N. (1980). De-emulsification and Microbes. Biochemical Engineering Research Reports, Vol. VI. London, Ontario, Canada: Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Science, The University of Western Ontario.
Cooper, D.G., Zajic, J.E., and Gerson, D.F. (1979). Applied and Environmental Microbiology 1, 4–10.
Duvnjak, Z., and Kosaric, N. Unpublished data.
Gerson, D.F., and Zajic, J.E. (1978). Developments in Industrial Micro-Biology 19, 577–599.
Hug, H., and Fiechter, A. (1973). Arch. Microbiol. 88, 77–86.
Velankar, S.K., Barnett, S.M., Houston, C.W., and Thompson, A.R. (1975). Biotechnol. and Bioeng. 2, 241–251.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Duvnjak, Z., Kosaric, N. Release of surfactant from Corynebacterium lepus with alkenes. Biotechnol Lett 3, 583–588 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00133438
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00133438