Production, Characterization and Bioemulsifying Activity of an Exopolysaccharide Produced by Sphingomonas sp Isolated from Freshwater

Author(s)

Meneghine, Aylan Kener ^[1] ; Moretto, Cristiane ^[2] ; Luque Castellane, Tereza Cristina ^[2] ; Carareto Alves, Lucia Maria ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, Programa Posgrad Microbiol Agr, UNESP Campus Jaboticabal, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Paulista, Lab Bioquim Microorganismos & Plantas, Dept Tecnol, UNESP Campus Jaboticabal, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT; v. 25, n. 4, p. 1080-1086, DEC 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the emulsion stability of solutions containing exopolysaccharide and culture medium of a Sphingomonas sp. strain with various hydrophobic compounds. The exopolysaccharide characterized belongs to a sphingan group, however, not being a gellan gum as produced by certain Sphingomonas strains. In general, the emulsifying indexes found in this study were above 70% for gasoline, hexane, kerosene and used frying oil. Nonetheless, the best results were achieved in kerosene solutions, which showed an index of 80% after 24 h, remaining stable for more than 168 h in combinations with various EPS concentrations. Interestingly, diesel oil best results were singly achieved in solution pH of 11, showing an index of around 65%. Furthermore, hexane obtained an index of 100% after 24 h when culture medium was used. Thus, these findings highlight the use of EPS as a potential bioemulsifier agent to enhance hydrocarbon degradation and emulsification effects in environmental biotechnology. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/08729-0 - Organic fertilizer: environmental influence and biotechnological use
• Grantee: Lúcia Maria Carareto Alves
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants