Engineering a Biodegradable Surfactant via Production of Glycolipids

Overview

The costs and production of synthetic surfactants have slowly become more and more of a problem. Surfactants have to be refined from petroleum explaining the costs of these chemicals. Surfactants, an ingredient largely used in soap and other cleaning supplies, allows oil and water readily, providing a convenience for everyday tasks industrially and residentially. Unfort unately, commercially-made surfactants, sourced from petroleum are not environmentally-friendly. The expected population explosion, without a doubt, will exponentially amplify the demand and use of such products. This study involved an alternative method for the creation of bio-surfactants. Biowaste from corn and wheat were used to create a biosurfactant, with the aid of a common bacteria, Pseudomonas fluorescens. Several tests were performed to compare the eco-friendly surfactant to a common commercial surfactant. It was hypothesized that the biosurfactant would work efficiently and with fewer adverse effects to the environment. The data revealed fewer deaths for Daphnia magna exposed to the biosurfactants. Also, Tukey HSD did not calculate a statistical difference in the heart rate comparisons between the control and each type of bio-surfactant. The surface tension test for efficiency revealed promising results.