Stabilization of kerosene/water emulsions using bioemulsifiers obtained by fermentation of hemicellulosic sugars with Lactobacillus pentosus.

The results of the present study show that Lactobacillus pentosus can produce extracellular bioemulsifiers by utilizing hemicellulosic sugars from grape marc as a source of carbon. The effectiveness of these bioemulsifiers (LPEM) was studied by preparing kerosene/water (K/W) emulsions in the presence and absence of these emulsifiers. Various parameters such as relative emulsion volume (EV), stabilizing capacity (ES), viscosity, and droplet size of K/W emulsions were measured.

Minerals and organic nitrogen present in grape marc hydrolyzates enhance xylose consumption by Lactobacillus pentosus.

This work deals with the nutritional evaluation of grape marc hydrolyzates as fermentation medium for Lactobacillus pentosus. Usually, the fermentation of xylose and arabinose in the presence of glucose remains a primary obstacle for economical biomass conversion. The few microorganisms that can grow simultaneously on both pentose and hexose sugars contained in lignocellulosic feedstocks typically grow slowly and demonstrate marginal yields and productivities.

Evaluation of biosurfactant production from various agricultural residues by Lactobacillus pentosus.

The cost of biosurfactant production may be significantly decreased by using inexpensive carbon substrates like agricultural residues. However, scarce information can be found in the literature about the utilization of lignocellulosic residues for obtaining biosurfactants. Usually agricultural residues are field burned, producing various toxic compounds to the atmosphere; so, as an interesting alternative to the traditional field burning of this kind of residue, this work proposes the utilization of agricultural wastes (barley bran, trimming vine shoots, corn cobs, and Eucalyptus globulus chips) for simultaneous lactic acid and biosurfactant production.