The application of a high throughput analysis method for the screening of potential biosurfactants from natural sources.
The presence of biosurfactants in growth media can be evaluated by a variety of methods, none of which are suitable for high throughput studies. The method described here is based on the effect of meniscus shape on the image of a grid viewed through the wells of a 96-well plate. The efficacy of the method was demonstrated by the selection of a bacterium (producing a biosurfactant able to reduce the surface tension of pure water from 72 to 28.75 mN m(-1)) from a culture collection isolated from aviation fuel-contaminated land. The assay was found to be more sensitive, rapid and easy to perform than other published methods. It does not need specialised equipment or chemicals and excludes the bias which results from the surfactant properties of medium used for bacterial growth.
Chen
Chien-Yen
CY
Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PJ, UK.
Baker
Simon C
SC
Darton
Richard C
RC
D001419:Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D004655:Emulsions; D013500:Surface Tension; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*
D004655:Emulsions; D013501:Surface-Active Agents