Selection and Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa EMS1 Mutant strain Showing Enhanced Biosurfactant Production

A new bacterial strain, was isolated from activated sludge, identified and named P. aeruginosa EMS1. The new strain produced surface-active rhamnolipids by batch cultivation in mineral salts medium with waste flying oils. The mutant strain KH7, designated P. aeruginosa EMS1, derived by random mutagenesis with N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosogoanidine treatment producing high levels of the biosurfactants was selected by an ion-pair plate assay. The mutant strain KH7 showed 4-5 times more hydrocarbon emulsification as compared to the parent when grown on waste frying oils and various hydrocarbons. Furthermore, P. aeruginosa EMS1 and mutant strain KH7 was also able to use whey as a co-substrate for growth and biosurfactant production. As results of this study, mutant strain KH7 is a very efficient biosurfactant producer, and its culture conditions are relatively inexpensive and economical. Rhamnolipid is synthesized by the rhlAB-encoded rhamnosyltransferase. To be convinced of these genes, we performed PCR based on P. aeruginosa PAO1 whole-genome database. rhl gene cluster nucleotide and amino acid sequences were compared for both parent and mutant. Comparison of nucleotide sequence of rhlAB, there were usually terminal's codons exchange.