Screening of a Mannosylerythritol Lipids Producing Strain and Analysis on Its Products

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to improve the environmental pollution problem, the strains which can produce glycolipid biosurfactant and degrade petroleum hydrocarbons efficiently were screened out in this study. Six strains of glycolipid-producing fungi were isolated from the surface of apple skin by the methods of blood plate and oil plate. After comparing the oil drainage ability of each strain and using PCR to amplify the key genes for the synthesis of glycolipid surfactants, we screened a fungus K6 with emtl sequence. The strain was identified by morphological, physiological and biochemical tests and molecular phylogenetic analysis (5.8S, ITS1, ITS2). Its metabolites were analyzed by TLC and HPLC. The strain was identified as Pseudozyma churashimaensis, which could produce mannose and erythritol. The experiment of petroleum hydrocarbon degradation shows that strain K6 has strong emulsifying ability and the ability of degrading petroleum hydrocarbon. Strain K6, with the strong ability in producing biosurfactants and degrading petroleum, will have broad application prospects for bioremediation of petroleum contaminated environment.