Characterization of the biosurfactant produced by Pesudomonas areuginosa strain R 4 and its application for remediation pyrene-contaminated soils

AbstractA biosurfactant producing strain was isolated and the rhamnolipid type biosurfactant was extracted for soil washing of a synthetically and naturally hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. Following the primary screening,Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain R4 was selected and the effect of the carbon and nitrogen source and the salinity on biosurfactant production was studied. Of the best results were observed for glucose as a carbon source, NH4Cl as a nitrogen source and salinity of 1.4%. The produced biosurfactant was a glycolipid type biosurfactant and reduced the surface tension to 32.5 mN/m with a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 50  mg/L and production yield of 90 mg/L. Using produced biosurfactant, a pyrene desorption rate of 82% was observed in selected conditions for initial pyrene concentration of 200 mg/L.
Source: Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering - Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research