Effects of Burkholderia thailandensis rhamnolipids on the unicellular algae Dunaliella tertiolecta.

The effects of rhamnolipids (RLs) produced and further purified from Burkholderia thailandensis, on the unicellular microalgae Dunaliella tertiolecta were investigated, in terms of RLs ability to affect algal growth, photosynthetic apparatus structure and energy flux, round and through photosystems II and I. Specifically, 24-48 h RLs-treated algae (RLs at concentrations ranged from 5 to 50 mg L) showed significantly decreased levels of growth rate, while increased levels of Chl a and b were obtained only in 72-96 h RLs-treated algae. Similarly, although no changes were obtained in the Chl a/b ratio and almost all chlorophyll fluorescence parameters over time, yields of electron transport (ϕR, ϕE) and respective performance index (PI) were negatively affected at 72 and 96 h.

Occurrence of non-toxic bioemulsifiers during polyhydroxyalkanoate production by Pseudomonas strains valorizing crude glycerol by-product.

While screening for polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) producing strains, using glycerol rich by-product as carbon source, it was observed that extracellular polymers were also secreted into the culture broth. The scope of this study was to characterize both intracellular and extracellular polymers, produced by Pseudomonas putida NRRL B-14875 and Pseudomonas chlororaphis DSM 50083, mostly focusing on those novel extracellular polymers. It was found that they fall into the class of bioemulsifiers (BE), as they showed excellent emulsion stability against different hydrocarbons/oils at various pH conditions, temperature and salinity concentrations.

Burkholderia thailandensis as a microbial cell factory for the bioconversion of used cooking oil to polyhydroxyalkanoates and rhamnolipids.

The present work assessed the feasibility of used cooking oil as a low cost carbon source for rhamnolipid biosurfactant production employing the strain Burkholderia thailandensis. According to the results, B. thailandensis was able to produce rhamnolipids up to 2.

Recent Advances and Challenges towards Sustainable Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Production.

Sustainable biofuels, biomaterials, and fine chemicals production is a critical matter that research teams around the globe are focusing on nowadays. Polyhydroxyalkanoates represent one of the biomaterials of the future due to their physicochemical properties, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. Designing efficient and economic bioprocesses, combined with the respective social and environmental benefits, has brought together scientists from different backgrounds highlighting the multidisciplinary character of such a venture.

Biotransformation of volatile fatty acids to polyhydroxyalkanoates by employing mixed microbial consortia: The effect of pH and carbon source.

Mixed microbial cultures that undergo successful enrichment, following eco-biotechnological approaches, to form a community dominant in polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) forming bacteria, represent an attractive economic alternative towards the production of those biopolymers. In the present study, an enriched mixed culture was investigated for the production of PHA at different initial pH values under non-controlled conditions in order to minimize process control and operational costs. Short-chain fatty acids were provided as PHA precursors and they were tested as sole carbon sources and as mixtures under nitrogen deficiency.