Structure, properties and applications of rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa L2-1 from cassava wastewater

The properties and applications of rhamnolipid surfactants produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa L2-1 from cassava wastewater added with waste cooking oil (CWO) as low-cost substrate, were investigated and compared with the commercial rhamnolipid mixture JBR599 (Jeneil Biosurfactant Co., Saukville, USA). The rhamnolipids produced by strain L2-1 were characterized by high performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Sixteen different rhamnolipid congeners were detected, with Rha-C10-C10 and Rha-Rha-C10-C10 being the most abundant. The L2-1 rhamnolipids from CWO showed similar or better tensioactive properties than those from JBR599, with a minimal surface tension of 30 mN/m and a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 30 mg/l. The L2-1 biosurfactants formed stable emulsions with several hydrocarbons and showed excellent emulsification of soybean oil (100%). These rhamnolipids removed 69% of crude oil present in contaminated sand samples at the CMC and presented antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus (32 μg/ml), Micrococcus luteus (32 μg/ml) and Staphylococcus aureus (128 μg/ml). These results demonstrate that the rhamnolipids produced in CWO can be useful for industrial applications, such as the bioremediation of oil spills.