A Pesticide Biopurification System: A Source of Biosurfactant-Producing Bacteria with Environmental Biotechnology Applications

Biosurfactants, a wide group of compounds produced by different microorganisms, generally have less toxicity and are more biodegradable than synthetic surfactants. Biosurfactant-producing bacteria can be found in contaminated environments, such as soils receiving pesticide applications constantly, or pesticides treatment systems where microorganisms adapted to biodegrading pesticides. Five pesticide-tolerant previously isolated from biopurification system were evaluated biosurfactant-producers. Pseudomonas rhodesiae C4, Rhodococcus jialingiae C8 marginalis C9 strains positive qualitative tests. Biosurfactant production these using Bushnell-Haas medium with olive oil at 2% (w/v) was emulsification index, displacement, droplet collapse test surface tension. After 144 h, showed similar index >55%. The two (C4 C9) lower superficial tension compared strain (C8)—34.47, 37.44 47.55 mN/m for C8, respectively. chemical characterization the biosurfactants revealed presence glycolipids P. (C4) glycopeptides (C9). degradation chlorpyrifos increased 39.2% 51.6% when P.rhodesiae added (10%) respect control. Therefore, relevant source biosurfactant-producing environmental biotechnology applications.