Work

Evaluation of various methods of selection of B. subtilis strains capable of secreting surface-active compounds

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: The aim of the study was the evaluation of a three-step method for the selection of bacterial strains capable of producing surfactin. The procedure consisted of the following steps: 1.blood agar test, 2. measurement of the surface tension (ST) of the medium using the du Nouy method before and after submerged culture, 3. qualitative and quantitative assessment of surfactin by HPLC. Forty five Bacillus subtilis natto strains producing haemolysis zones (≥3mm) were selected. Nineten of them reduced ST of the medium to ≤ 40 mN/m; in six cases, the reduction was as much as 50%. All indicated strains produced surfactin. Positive correlations (p <0.5) between the percentage reduction of ST of the medium and surfactin concentration (r = 0.44), indicate that this parameter is determinant of the ability to synthesize this compound. The blood agar test has been shown to be useful only as a pre-selection criterion for surfactin producers (18 strains selected by this method reduced ST by only ≤30%). The proposed selection strategy proved effective and made it possible to select the BS15 strain that reduced the ST of the medium to 30.56 ± 0.15 mN/m and simultaneously provided a high concentration of surfactin compared to other strains.

Source: PLoS ONE

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225108

Authors: Beata Koim-Puchowska, Grzegorz Kłosowski, Dawid Mikulski, Aleksandra Menka

Institution: Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz

Language: English

Topic: Microbial bioremediation and biosurfactants

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,595

Funder: Ministerstwo Edukacji i Nauki