The production of biosurfactants by local fungi isolated from Egyptian soil

Abstract

One of the most important sources of biomolecules is soil fungi which have unique metabolic and physiologic features. The present study investigates the ability of local fungi isolated from Egyptian soil to produce biosurfactants. The oil displacement area (ODA) test was used to study the effect of three different environmental conditions (pH, temperature, and salinity) on the stability of produced biosurfactants. The study aimed also to reuse four vegetable oils (sunflower oil, olive oil, waste frying oil, and corn oil), which are widely used in the daily activities of the Egyptians, for the enhancement of the production and activity of biosurfactants by fungal isolates. The highest production of biosurfactants was observed by Aspergillus wentii, Aspergillus flavus, and Fusarium sp. The results showed that most of the biosurfactants were stable at a wide range of temperatures, alkaline pH, and high salinity. Sunflower oil followed by waste frying oil showed the highest enhancement effects. Olive oil showed moderate enhancement while corn oil showed the lowest effect. Thus, it can be concluded local soil fungi are considered a promising potential source to produce biosurfactants. It can be concluded that our study is the first study that mentioned the ability of A. wentii isolated from the soil as a biosurfactant producer.