Hyper-Production of Biosurfactant by Pseudomonas guguanensis Strain Iraqi ZG.K.M through Random Mutagenesis

Abstract

Background: With growing environmental concern, interest was increased in research and
development of environmentally friendly substances. Microbial surfactants are nontoxic and
biodegradable bioproducts that are widely used in medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural,
industrial, food, cosmetics, and refinery applications. However, the main challenges in the
production of biosurfactants are the high production cost and the limited yield. The improvement
of biosurfactant production depend on many strategies, such as the use of low-cost raw materials,
adjusting medium and growth conditions, and the selection of hype-producing strains.
Objective: The study was conducted to obtain Pseudomonas guguanensis strain Iraqi ZG.K.M
mutant with higher biosurfactant production, through random mutagenesis.
Materials and Methods: Chemical mutagen (acridine orange) in different concentrations and
the physical mutagen (UV irradiation) were used for the production of random mutagenesis in
Pseudomonas guguanensis strain Iraqi ZG.K.M. The biosurfactant hype-producing strain was
selected depending on CTAB test, E 24 %, and the measurement of surface tension.
Results: A clear indication of the efficiency of UV light in producing biosurfactant mutant. In
which, a higher E 24 % (78%) and the lowest surface tension (33 mN/m) were recorded with
ZUVM2 mutant.
Conclusion : UV light can successfully used to mutagenize Pseudomonas guguanensis strain
Iraqi ZG.K.M to obtain hyper-producer mutants of biosurfactant that used in many applications.