Isolation and partial Structural & Functional Characterization of Glycolipid Biosurfactant producing Pichia sorbitophila WG1 from Rotten Grapes

Vidur Bhatia and *Baljeet Sing

Abstract

Surfactants are amphiphilic compounds containing the hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties which reduce surface tension between water and hydrocarbons. In the present investigation, a Glycolipid Biosurfactant producing yeast was isolated from rotten grapes. The isolate was selected on the basis of reduction in surface tension, oil displacement measurements and emulsification index. On the basis of 18S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing chosen isolate was identified as Pichia sorbitophila WG1. The biosurfactant produced was structurally characterized by FTIR, NMR and GC-MS. It was found to be a glycolipid stable over a vast range of pH and temperature. Further, the biosurfactant showed significant broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against various Gram positive and Gram negative pathogens. The cytotoxicity test confirmed its non toxicity, when tested against Triticum aestivum and Brassica nigra.