Frequência de bactérias produtoras de biossurfactantes lipopeptídeos em sedimentos de manguezais do Ceará

Abstract

Biosurfactants are surface-active molecules with amphipathic character and natural origin, with an important physiological role for the producing organisms. These compounds have a wide range of industrial applications and there is a continuous search for new molecules. High diversity environments and still poorly understood, such as mangroves, represent promising sources of those metabolites producers. In this study, sediment samples from Timonha and Icapuí mangroves were used for the isolation of biosurfactant producing bacteria. The samples were heated at 60 °C/1 h to promote selection of spore-producing bacteria, which comprises the genus Bacillus, known to produce biosurfactants. Then, 200 microorganisms were selected and studied for biosurfactant production by cultivation in Surfactin Broth at 30 °C for 48 h. The cultures were centrifuged to separate the supernatant of cells, which were washed and eluted with distilled water. The screening for biosurfactant producing bacteria was performed using the emulsification test (E24) with the cells and supernatants, medium’s surface tension reduction, search for genes related to the production of surfactin and iturin, dispersant activities and productivity. From the hundred isolated from mangrove Timonha, 28 had emulsification index above 50% with the supernatants, and only 6 had good rates with cells. In Icapuí mangrove, 18 isolates had good rates with the supernatants, and only 4 with cells. No difference can be attributed to the different impact degrees of mangroves. The genes studied were found as follows: sfp - present in seven isolates from Timonha, and eleven from Icapuí; ituD and lpa14– detected in five isolates from Timonha and five from Icapuí. Bacteria with good results in E24 and surface tension reduction, but negative for the genes tested may consist of sources of new biomolecules. Thirteen isolates showed excellent oil dispersant activity, with formation of halos with the maximum size allowed by the petri dish. The present results show the great potential existing in mangroves microbiota for the production of surfactants lipopeptide and suggest an intrinsic role of these compounds in producing populations.