Biotransformação de resíduos agroindustriais por Penicillium sclerotiorum (UCP 1040) na síntese de biossurfactante aplicados na biodeterioração de petroderivados

Abstract

Agro-industrial residues applied to microorganisms have high potential in the production of biomolecules of industrial interest, through the production of secondary metabolites. Among these, biosurfactants stand out, which are amphipathic molecules capable of reducing surface tension. In this sense, the present work sought to evaluate the biotechnological potential of the fungus Penicillium sclerotiorum (UCP 1040) in whey for biosurfactant production using low-cost substrates such as corn steep liquor, production whey and post-frying oil, according to a 22 factorial design , obtaining surface tension as a variable response (m.N/m) and the emulsion index (IE24%).The efficiency of the biosurfactant produced was analyzed by the metabolite liquid in dispersion properties and biodegradation in hydrophobic compounds using DCPIP (2,6-dichlorophenol-indophen) as an indicator in a qualitative way. Two experiments were accomplished: experiment 1 was divided into two phases. Phase I, whey and post-frying oil were used according to a factorial design of 22, added to the same 20 discs of the fungus Penicillium sclerotiorum (UCP 1040) at 28ºC for 96h in static conditions, the same conditions in agitation at 150 rpm. In phase II, the same conditions as in phase I were repeated, using corn steep liquor and post-frying oil, the latter under agitation at 150 rpm. In experiment 2, the same substrates from phases I and II were used, varying the concentrations of the factorial design from 22, the number of disks of the fungus Penicillium sclerotiorum (UCP 1040) to 40 disks at 28ºC and under agitation at 150 rpm for 144h.The fungus showed the best surface tension reduction of 42.77 m.N/m (condition 2: 5% corn steep liquor and 3% post-frying oil) and an emulsification index of 52.2% (condition 8: 10% of corn steep liquor and 3% post-frying oil), using burnt engine oil as substrate, both in experiment 2. Although the biosurfactant produced under these conditions did not show good results for surface tension and emulsification index, it showed excellent biodegradation in hydrophobic compounds and as a dispersing property with 44.18 cm2 of area. Making the process economical and attractive for different industries using alternative and low-cost substrates to produce biosurfactant.