Optimization of Media for Better Production of Biosurfactant by Proteus vulgaris

To reduce the surface and interfacial tension of the pollutants in environment, biosurfactants which are produced by the microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast etc. are being applied in large quantity. These compounds are produced extracellularly by the microorganism into the environment and they are applied in different industries such as detergent, cosmetics etc. for different purposes. In the present study, Proteus vulgaris (2aH) was used to optimize different environmental parameters such as pH (6 to 9), NaCl concentration (1 to 4 %) and WSF concentration (1 to 4 %) for the good production of the biosurfactant. Culture broth was assayed at a regular interval for biomass, emulsification activity and biosurfactant production during the culture period of 5 days. Bacteria showed maximum emulsification activity at pH 9 and good yield was seen at pH 7. From the different tested NaCl concentrations P. vulgaris showed good emulsification activity at 2 % and 3 % NaCl concentration and maximum yield at 1 % NaCl concentration of the biosurfactant. The strain showed both good activity and yield of biosurfactant at 1 % WSF concentration. Proteus vulgaris showed good growth, activity and yield of the biosurfactant during the optimized environmental conditions of the bacteria.