Optimization of Pseudomonas putida SOL10 Biosurfactant Production Using Cost-Effective Substrates

Abstract

Natural resources as a substitute energy source in recent technological advancements have resulted in the production of biosurfactants. In order to reduce production costs and maximise yield, the current work replaces expensive yeast extract with less expensive substrates and optimises temperature, pH, and agitation. Pseudomonas putida SOL10 produced biosurfactants using a variety of substrates, such as red beans, molasses, whey, potato peels, olive oil, castor oil, crude oil, kerosene oil, and leftover cooking oil. These sources were utilised singly with an inducer, urea. Surface tension and oil displacement assays were used to measure the generation of biosurfactants. The combination of 1% potato peels, 2% leftover cooking oil, and 0.1% urea produced the highest amount of biosurfactant at 30˚C, 9.5 pH, and 150 rpm of agitation. There was a drop in surface tension of up to 29 mN/m with a 6.7 cm ODA zone.