• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.159-165
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• 1999

Pseudomonas aeruginosa JRT-4 strain was used as a biosurfactant-producing microorganism in this study. It was one of the microorganisms isolated from the sewage sludge, the main and branch streams of Han river. The surface tension of the culture broth of P. aeruginosa JRT-4 decreased to 30mN/m. The crude biosurfactant was obtained from the culture broth by acid precipitation, solvent extraction, evaporation, and freeze drying. The CMC value of the crude biosurfactant was 0.006%(w/v). From analysis of the chemical structure of biosurfactant, it was determined as rhamnolipid 1 and 3 structures by FAB mass spectrometer. In the washing test for artificially contaminated textiles, the biosurfactant showed better bleachness than the two chemically synthesized surfactant, LAS and SLES. Finally, the biodegradation and ecotoxidolorical tests showed that the biosurfactant was readily biodegradable in the environment and a mild material for microorganisms and green algae.