Abstract:
The production of rhamnolipid usmg renewable resources especially the agro
industrial wastes are more preferred compared to chemically synthesise surfactants.
As in the findings from this study, four carbon sources namely glycerol, sweetwater,
molasses and glycerin pitch were used for rharnnolipid production by Pseudomonas
aeruginosa PAOl and Pseudomonas putida KT2440. Conditions of biosynthesis
involving carbon to nitrogen ratios ( excess of carbon sources and nitrogen source
limitation) were conducted in order to enhance the productivity of rhamnolipid. The
rharnnolipid concentration was determined using colorimetric orcinol assay. Result
showed that P. aeruginosa worked best at C/N ratio 40 in glycerol and sweetwater
(6.87 g/L and 0.67 g/L respectively), C/N ratio of 30 in molasses (0.36 g/L) whereas
P. putida worked best in C/N ratio 50 in glycerol (0.51 g/L), C/N ratio 30 in
sweetwater (0.29 g/L) and 40 in molasses (0.33 g/L). P. aeruginosa produce more
rharnnolipid concentration (1.47 g/L) using glycerin pitch compared to P. putida (0.46
g/L). From these result, it can be said that the rharnnolipid production using
renewable carbon sources will be a good approach in proper waste management and
bioconversion of by-products into value added materials.
