Production and evaluation of mono- and di-rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa VM011

Rhamnolipids are amphiphilic compounds secreted by bacteria and possess the emulsification ability. Emulsification ability makes microbial surfactants an excellent candidate for assisting in the breakdown and removal of oil spills. Rhamnolipids have been demonstrated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. This suggests that rhamnolipids play vital roles in the medical, agricultural, bioremediation etc. In the present study, bacterial strain VM011 was isolated from organic farm soil, located nearby Zuari River in Durbhat (Goa, India), where farmlands were irrigated by borewell water. Isolated bacterial strain VM011 was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa per the Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology. The Rhamnolipid production ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa VM011 was confirmed using NaCl-methylene blue agar method. Furthermore, rhamnolipid produced by P. aeruginosa VM011 emulsify the combustible hydrocarbon such as kerosene (lamp oil). As produced rhamnolipids has an oil-like appearance and consists of two different rhamnolipid confirmed by thin layer chromatography data-di-rhamnolipid with Rf value = 0.16 and mono-rhamnolipid with Rf value = 0.37.