Optimization of Biosurfactant Production from Candida mucifera NJP25

Abstract

Biosurfactants are valuable microbial amphiphilic molecules with effective surface-active and biological properties applicable to several industries and processes. The aim of this study was to optimize nutrients composition and cultivation conditions for biosurfactant production by Candida mucifera NJP25. The effects of five variable factors, including carbon source, nitrogen source, C:N ratio, initial pH and temperature, on biosurfactant production were investigated using one factor at a time (OFAT) method. The results revealed that C. mucifera NJP25 produced the highest biosurfactant (reduced surface tension culture broth 35.50 mN/m and oil displacement activity of 0.62 cm2 ) in optimized medium containing 4.0% sucrose, 0.4% sodium nitrate , C:N ratio approximately 20 with initial pH 6.5 and incubated at 30°C for 9 days. The highest biosurfactant yield to 0.26 g/L and its culture broth had the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 27.48 mg/ml. Our results could provide the practical information for further large scale production of biosurfactant from yeast.