Optimization of biosurfactant production by using response surface methodology.

The present study aims to evaluate and validate a statistical model for maximizing biosurfactant productivity by using response surface methodology. In this respect, twenty bacterial isolates were screened for biosurfactant production using hemolytic activity, oil spreading technique, and emulsification index (E24). The most potent biosurfactant-producing bacterium () was used for construction of the statistical response surface model. The optimum conditions for biosurfactant production by were: 33 °C incubation temperature at pH 8 for 10 days incubation period and 8.5 g/L glucose concentration as a sole carbon source. The produced biosurfactant (BS) (73%) exhibited foaming activity, thermal stability in the range 30-80 °C for 30 min., pH stability, from 4 to 9 and antimicrobial activity against (). The BS gave a good potential application as an emulsifier.