Production of rhamnolipids by Pseudomonas aeruginosa MPAO1 and MPAO1 mutant, from agroindustrial residues

• Grant number: 19/00575-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2019
• End date: July 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Jonas Contiero
• Grantee: Mateus Aparecido Gonçalves da Rocha
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Surfactants are molecules that have, in their structure, both hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts, thus guaranteeing numerous applications. However, they are not environmentally friendly and their production usually involves petrochemical compounds. In contrast, biosurfactants can be produced by microorganisms and still have the same chemical properties as synthetic surfactants, as well as other advantages such as low toxicity, biodegradability and high stability. Even with these advantages, the biotensoativos are not produced in large scale in the industry due to the high cost of production. In order to solve this problem, studies are carried out to optimize the cultivation, the use of cheap substrates, mutant strains and improvements in the process. The present study focuses on the use of low cost substrates, such as waste from the agroindustry, which, in addition to reducing production costs, would add value to the agroindustrial residue that can often become an environmental problem. Surfactants are molecules that have, in their structure, both hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts, thus guaranteeing numerous applications. However, they are not environmentally friendly and their production usually involves petrochemical compounds. In contrast, biosurfactants can be produced by microorganisms and still have the same chemical properties as synthetic surfactants, as well as other advantages such as low toxicity, biodegradability and high stability. Even with these advantages, the biotensoativos are not produced in large scale in the industry due to the high cost of production. In order to solve this problem, studies are carried out to optimize the cultivation, the use of cheap substrates, mutant strains and improvements in the process. The present study focuses on the use of low cost substrates, such as waste from the agroindustry, which, in addition to reducing production costs, would add value to the agroindustrial residue that can often become an environmental problem, as well as evaluation of the production of biosurfactants by the strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa MPAO1 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa MPAO1 ”rhlYZ. The substrate that presents the best yields and productivity will be used in bioreactor, with the purpose of evaluating the bioprocess on an industrial scale.