Non-traditional oils with water-soluble substrate as cell growth booster for the production of mannosylerythritol lipids by Pseudozyma antarctica (ATCC 32657) with their antimicrobial activity

Among glycolipids, mannosylerythritol lipids (MEL), are mild and environmentally friendly surfactants used in various industrial applications. MELs are produced by biofermentation using non-traditional oils with various water-soluble carbon sources as cell growth booster. This substrate affects the production yield and cost of MEL. In this research work, the non-traditional oils jatropha oil, karanja oil and neem oil were used as new substrates along with glucose, glycerol and honey as new water-soluble substrates. All these oils are new feedstocks for the production of MEL using Pseudozyma antarctica (ATCC 32657). Jatropha oil, karanja oil and neem oil with honey as substrates resulted in higher MEL yields of (8.07, 7.75, and 1.86) g/L and better cell growth of (8.07, 7.75, and 1.86) g/L, respectively, than non-traditional oils with glucose and glycerol as substrates. Neem oil gave a lower yield of MEL (1.54 g/L) as well as cell growth (6.06 g/L) compared to jatropha oil and karanja oil (7.03 and 6.17) g/L, respectively. Crude MEL from the fermentation broth was detected by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), Fourier transform infrared spectrommetry (FT-IR), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-1 NMR). Purified MEL has been used as an antimicrobial agent in cosmetic products associated with gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and fungi.

Automated summary

In this research, MELs were produced using non-traditional oils and new water-soluble substrates, resulting in higher yields of MEL and better cell growth. The findings suggest that jatropha oil, karanja oil, and neem oil combined with honey can be suitable substrates for MEL production.