Properties of the biosurfactant produced by Bacillus licheniformis strain JF-2.

The activity of the biosurfactant produced by Bacillus licheniformis strain JF-2 was quantified using a unit defined as the amount of the acid-precipitated biosurfactant that lowered the surface tension by 10 mN/m. One unit was equivalent to 37 micrograms/ml of the acid-precipitated biosurfactant. Acid precipitation was very effective in the removal of the biosurfactant from the spent medium. Among the solvents tested methanol was the most efficient in extracting the surfactant activity from acid-precipitated material. Thin-layer chromatography of the acid-precipitated biosurfactant revealed four components, two of which contained a lipid moiety and one of which contained an amino group. The methanol-soluble fraction also contained these four components. Studies suggested that all four components were needed for full activity. The lowest interfacial tensions against octane were observed when NaC1 concentrations were 50 g/l or greater. Calcium concentrations greater than 25 g/l significantly increased the interfacial tension.