n-Alkane Chain Length Alters Dietzia sp. Strain DQ12-45-1b Biosurfactant Production and Cell Surface Activity

Abstract

ABSTRACTUpon growth onn-hexadecane (C16),n-tetracosane (C24), andn-hexatriacontane (C36),Dietziasp. strain DQ12-45-1b could produce different glycolipids, phospholipids, and lipopeptides. Interestingly, cultivation with C36increased cell surface hydrophobic activity, which attenuated the negative effect of the decline of the emulsification activity. These results suggest that the mechanisms of biosurfactant production and cell surface hydrophobicity are dependent upon the chain lengths of then-alkanes used as carbon sources.