Four extracellular glycolipids produced under growth-limiting conditions were isolated from the culture broth of Pseudomonas spec. DSM 2874. After purification by column and thick-layer chromatography they were identified as anionic rhamnolipids. 1H and 13C-NMR studies showed that two of these, beta(beta(2-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)decanoyl)decanoic acid and beta(beta(2-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosylox y)decanoyloxy) decanoic acid, were identical with compounds described previously, while the other more hydrophilic compounds, beta(2-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)decanoic acid and beta(2-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy) decanoic acid, were new compounds. Surface and interfacial activity of the organic crude extract and of the purified components were determined in different aqueous solutions. The pH-dependence of surface and interfacial properties of the two previously described rhamnolipids (4, 20, 23) were examined in Teorell-Stenhagen-buffer (supplemented with 10% NaCl) at pH 3.0 and pH 9.0. All rhamnolipids reduced the surface-tension from 72 to about 30 mN/m and the interfacial-tension from 42 to about 1 mN/m. The critical micelle concentrations were of the order of 5 to 200 mg/l depending on the structure of the molecule.

Alkanes↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Production of four interfacial active rhamnolipids from n-alkanes or glycerol by resting cells of Pseudomonas species DSM 2874.

In a simple phosphate buffer or a sodium chloride solution resting cells of Pseudomonas spec. DSM 2874 produced up to 15 g/l of different rhamnolipids. The rhamnolipid composition of the organic crude extract depended on the temperature during the cultivation and on the C-source. The optimal sodium chloride concentration for rhamnolipid formation was about 100 mM/l and the optimal phosphate buffer concentration about 65 mM/l. The optimal pH-value for the production of rhamnolipids from n-alkanes or glycerol was in the range pH 6.0-7.2. While rhamnolipid formation with glycerol as the sole C-source showed a wide optimum ranging from 27 degrees up to 37 degrees C, production of rhamnolipids from n-alkanes had a sharp optimum at 37 degrees C. The addition of multivalent cations, different N-sources and EDTA caused an inhibition of rhamnolipid formation, while the n-alkane concentration had no influence. Specific rhamnolipid formation decreased with increasing cell concentration. Various C-sources were suitable for the formation of rhamnolipids by resting cells of Pseudomonas spec. DSM 2874. Yields, which were comparable to those obtained on n-alkanes or glycerol, were found for stearic acid, fatty alcohols and vegetable oils. A study of the time course of glycolipid production of resting cells was carried out in a 20 1-bioreactor with an intensor system and with n-tetradecane as the sole C-source.

Alkanes↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Marine biosurfactants, I. Screening for biosurfactants among crude oil degrading marine microorganisms from the North Sea.

Three bacterial strains of marine origin were isolated during a screening for biosurfactants among n-alkane degrading microorganisms. One strain-identified as Alcaligenes sp. MM1-produced a novel glucose lipid. In the case of Arthrobacter sp. EK 1 the well-known trehalose tetraester was found as major component. From another pure culture classified as Arthrobacter sp. SI 1, extracellular emulsifying agents with properties indicating high molecular weight substances were detected. Furthermore trehalose corynomycolates were found at up to 2 g/l. The isolated biosurfactants showed good interfacial and emulsifying properties.

Alcaligenes↗