RESUMO
The production of biosurfactant by Rhodococcus erythropolis during the growth on glycerol was investigated. The process was carried out at 28 degrees C in a 1.5-L bioreactor using glycerol as carbon source. The bioprocess was monitored through measurements of biosurfactant concentration and glycerol consumption. After 51 h of cultivation, 1.7 g/L of biosurfactant, surface, and interfacial tensions values (with n-hexadecane) of 43 and 15 mN/m, respectively, 67% of Emulsifying Index (E24), and 94% of oil removal were obtained. The use of glycerol rather than what happens with hydrophobic carbon source allowed the release of the biosurfactant, originally associated to the cell wall.
Assuntos
Reatores Biológicos/microbiologia , Carbono/metabolismo , Técnicas de Cultura de Células/métodos , Glicerol/metabolismo , Rhodococcus/metabolismo , Tensoativos/química , Tensoativos/metabolismo , Esgotos/microbiologia , Tensoativos/análiseRESUMO
The production of biosurfactant by Rhodococcus erythropolis during the growth on glycerol was investigated. The process was carried out at 28 degrees C in a 1.5-L bioreactor using glycerol as carbon source. The bioprocess was monitored through measurements of biosurfactant concentration and glycerol consumption. After 51 h of cultivation, 1.7 g/L of biosurfactant, surface, and interfacial tensions values (with n-hexadecane) of 43 and 15 mN/m, respectively, 67% of Emulsifying Index (E (24)), and 94% of oil removal were obtained. The use of glycerol rather than what happens with hydrophobic carbon source allowed the release of the biosurfactant, originally associated to the cell wall.