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Characterization of biochemical properties and biological activities of biosurfactants produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa mucoid and non-mucoid strains isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated soil samples

  • Applied Microbial and Cell Physiology
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Abstract

Biochemical and pharmacological properties of biosurfactants produced at 45°C temperature by Pseudomonas aeruginosa mucoid (M) and non-mucoid (NM) strains, isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated soil samples, were characterized. Both the strains secreted appreciable amount of biosurfactants (5.0–6.5 g/l), responsible for the reduction of surface tension of the medium from 68 to 29±0.5 mN/m post 96 h of growth. Maximum yield of biosurfactants was observed following the supplementation of NH4Cl and glycerol as nitrogenous source and carbon source, respectively. These thermostable biosurfactants exhibited strong emulsifying property and could release appreciable amount of oil from saturated sand-pack column. Pharmacological characterization of these biosurfactants revealed that they induced dose-dependent hemolysis and coagulation of platelet-poor plasma but were non-detrimental to chicken lung, liver, heart and kidney tissues. Our study has documented that biosurfactants from P. aeruginosa M and NM strains could be exploited for use in petroleum sectors as well in pharmaceutical industries.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr. Anil K. Lala, Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, and Dr. P. Deepalakshmi, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, for MALDI-TOF analysis and Dr. S.M. Raj, Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, for GC analysis of bacterial FAMEs. The authors are thankful to Prof. P.C. Deka and Prof. B.K. Konwar, Tezpur University, for their useful suggestions and constant encouragement to pursue the present work. K. Das was a recipient of Senior Research Fellowship from ONGC sponsored Center for Petroleum Biotechnology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University.

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  1. Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, ONGC Center for Petroleum Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur, 784028, India

    Kishore Das & Ashis K. Mukherjee

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  1. Kishore Das
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  2. Ashis K. Mukherjee
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Correspondence to Ashis K. Mukherjee.

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Das, K., Mukherjee, A.K. Characterization of biochemical properties and biological activities of biosurfactants produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa mucoid and non-mucoid strains isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated soil samples. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 69, 192–199 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-005-1975-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-005-1975-5

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