Evaluation of lipopeptide [surfactin] production by bacillus subtilis

ABSTRACT

Lipopeptides are the bioactive peptides and some constituents of these compounds are surfactin, fengycin and Turing A, B and C, mycosubtilins and bacillomycins. Among these lipopeptides, surfactin is produced by Bacillus subtilis that has strong anti-microbial properties. Surfactin can be obtained by cultivation of bacteria and possesses various biological activities; anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-tumour, haemolytic, blood anticoagulant and fibrinolytic activities. The present study was evaluated for optimisation of media components [Carbon source, N, P. and K] and environmental factors for the growth and production of lipopeptides by Bacillus subtilis. It was a quasi experimental study. Surfactin production was optimised with different factors including Mannitol, Phosphate, Nitrogen, Carbon, Potassium, and pH by inoculating B. subtilis on standard mineral salt [SMS] medium using fermentation technology. Showed that all the optimised factors have contributed their role in the production of lipopeptides by B. subtilis. The increasing concentrations of mannitol and nitrogen produced maximum lipopeptides with O.D 2.110 and 2.375 respectively. Production of surfactin by B. subtilis might be increased by using different factors optimised in medium and these compounds have potential applications both in medical and biotechnological fields