Abstract
PhytopathogenicCorynebacterium species and related soil microbes were examined for their ability to produce surfactants from hydrocarbon substrate. Surfactant production was detected by the lowering of both surface and interfacial tensions, by the formation of high reciprocal critical micelle concentrations (CMCs), and by the possession of properties of emulsification and demulsification. Whole broth cultures of severalC. fascians strains,C. insidiosum ICPB CI13A,Arthrobacter paraffineus NRRL B-3453, andNocardia amarae NRRL B-8176 lowered surface tensions from 58.5 mN/m to 27–33 mN/m, lowered interfacial tensions from 33.5 mN/m to 0.55–4.0 mN/m, and had high reciprocal CMCs. Whole-broth cultures ofN. amarae NRRL B-8176 had excellent demulsification ability; those of someC. fascians strains andC. insidiosum ICPB CI13A produced unusual gel-like emulsions. These properties are believed to aid in the attachment of phytopathogenic corynebacteria to the surfaces of host plants.
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Akit, J., Cooper, D.G., Manninen, K.I. et al. Investigation of potential biosurfactant production among phytopathogenic corynebacteria and related soil microbes. Current Microbiology 6, 145–150 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01642388
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01642388