ARS | Publication request: Carbohydrate-based renewable biosurfactants: Rhamnolipids, sophorolipids, and novel liamocins

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 17, 2011
Publication Date: October 17, 2011
Citation: Price, N.P. 2011. Carbohydrate-based renewable biosurfactants: Rhamnolipids, sophorolipids, and novel liamocins [abstract]. Shanghai Jiao Tong University & Wuhan University, China. p. 6.

Technical Abstract: High-yield, glycolipid-based biosurfactants are of increasing interest for use in environmentally benign cleaning or emulsifying agents. We have developed a MALDI-TOF/MS screen for the rapid analysis of several types of biosurfactants, including various acylated rhamnolipids in Pseudomonas extracts, and a newly identified sophorolipid-producing yeast. The approach is validated by carbohydrate and lipid GC/MS analysis, RP-HPLC, and 1D- and 2D-NMR. Unlike those reported previously, the Candida spp. NRRL Y-27208 sophorolipids contain a omega-hydroxy-linked acyl group (typically 18-hydroxy-'9-octadecenoate), and occur predominantly in a non-lactone, anionic form. In addition, seventeen dimeric and trimeric sophoroses were identified by MALDI-TOF/MS from this strain. We have also surveyed more than 50 diverse strains of Aureobasidium pullulans, representing at least 6 phylogenic clades, more than 40% of which produce unusual, denser-that-water biosurfactants. The complete structure of these A. pullulans biosurfactant has been elucidated, and is reported here the first time. These structures are novel, although with some characteristics of a related polyhydroxylated natural product called exophilin. The relatively high yield and surfactant-like properties of these new materials has potential value as replacements for petroleum-based detergents and emulsifiers.