Production of emulsifying agents during growth of a marine Alteromonas in sea water with eicosane as carbon source, a solid hydrocarbon

The ability of the marine Alteromonas sp. 17 to degrade hydrocarbon substrates was investigated. This strain effectively degraded various liquid and solid hydrocarbons. Growth on the long chain alkane eicosane was studied. The relationship between degradation efficiency of this solid hydrocarbon (80% degradation) and potential bioemulsifier production by the marine strain was investigated. Production of non-dialyzable bioemulsifier, monitored by decrease of surface tension and emulsifying capacity measurements, was observed. The bioemulsifier was able to emulsify various types of hydrocarbons. Its basic composition was 37 mg litre⁻¹ carbohydrates and 15·58 mg litre⁻¹ lipids. Major lipids were polar lipids (phospholipids, monoglycerides, glycolipids). The strain exhibited moderate adherence to liquid hydrocarbons but was non-adherent to solid hydrocarbon.