Influence of biosurfactants produced by Candida antarctica on surface properties of microorganism and biodegradation of n-alkanes.

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of the biosurfactant BS-UC on surface properties of microbial cells and biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons. The biosurfactant BS-UC was produced by Candida antarctica from n-undecane as the substrate. It was found that the addition of BS-UC influenced positively the emulsification and the biodegradation of a variety of n-alkanes substrates.