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Optimization and characterization of rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 using molasses as a substrate

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Abstract

The present study aims to evaluate the growth potential of the P. aeruginosa ATCC9027 strain with molasses as the sole carbon source to produce rhamnolipids. The influence of the cultivation time and substrate concentration on biosurfactant production was investigated by using a complete 3-level factorial design, with the rhamnolipid concentration as the variable response. The strain was able to produce the biosurfactant in all design conditions tested, producing 758.04 mg/L rhamnolipids with 7% v/v substrate concentration in a cultivation time of 120 h. The substrate concentration used in the cultivation step directly influenced the biosurfactant production, and, even with the decrease in biomass growth, the biosurfactant production continued to increase. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) revealed the presence of 62.3% mono- (RL1) and 37.6% di-rhamnolipids (RL3). The stability tests showed that the biosurfactant has good performance in extreme conditions of temperature, pH and saline concentration. The emulsification index was also evaluated for several oils and hydrocarbons, obtaining emulsification rates of up to 84.9% for the burnt motor oil. In addition, rhamnolipid showed a good ability to remove spilled oil from the sand, removing 58.51% of burnt motor oil and 70.09% of post-frying soybean oil. The results indicate that molasses, an agro-industrial residue abundant in Brazil, can be used as the only carbon source for quality rhamnolipid production when under optimized conditions, therefore presenting itself as a management option for this residue and, at the same time, providing the production product with high added value.

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Data availability

We declare that the datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available by the corresponding author, on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for funding the research grant, according to the 88882.329713/2019-01 process.

Funding

This study was funded by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) according to the 88882.329713/2019-01 process.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State University of Campinas, Av. Albert Einstein, 500, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Campinas, SP, CEP: 13083-852, Brazil

    Letícia Martini Braz & Elias Basille Tambourgi

  2. Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Rio Claro, SP, CEP: 13506-900, Brazil

    Ana María Salazar-Bryam

  3. Federal University of Alfenas, Rodovia José Aurélio Vilela, 11999 (BR 267 Km 533) Cidade Universitária, Poços de Caldas, MG, CEP: 37715-400, Brazil

    Grazielle Santos Silva Andrade

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  1. Letícia Martini Braz
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  4. Elias Basille Tambourgi
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. LMB conducted the experiments, wrote the manuscript and analyzed the data. AMS-B contributed with new reagents and analytical tools. GSSA wrote the manuscript and analyzed the data. EBT conceived the research. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Letícia Martini Braz.

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Letícia Martini Braz, Ana María Salazar-Bryam, Grazielle Santos Silva Andrade, and Elias Basille Tambourgi declares that they have no conflict of interest. All authors have no relevant financial or nonfinancial interests to disclose.

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Braz, L.M., Salazar-Bryam, A.M., Andrade, G.S.S. et al. Optimization and characterization of rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 using molasses as a substrate. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 39, 51 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-022-03494-z

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