Selection of microorganisms for biosurfactant production using agroindustrial wastes

Biosurfactant production by some bacterial isolates using molasses, milk whey and cassava flour wastewater (manipueira) as substrates was evaluated and compared with the production in conventional medium. Isolates growing in manipueira medium decreased the surface tension around 42%, the highest reduction among all the Substrates tested. From the eleven isolates tested, eight were able to decrease the surface tension to levels below 30 mN/m Using manipueira as substrate. The isolates LB5a, LB2a, LB262, LBB and LB1a that gave surface tension about 26 mN/m were identified as Bacillus sp. Natural manipueira (high solids content) and decanted manipueira (no solids) were investigated as culture media for biosurfactant production by selected microorganisms. Natural manipueira medium showed minimum surface tension of 28 mN/m (LB5a isolate) whereas for decanted manipueira the lowest value was 26 mN/m (isolate LB2a). Average diameter of growth oil manipueira agar was 7.2 cm for isolate LB5a Suggesting a high growth capacity on this substrate. Manipueira comprises a potential alternative culture medium for biosurfactant production by the selected isolates.