Abstract:[Objective] We studied the stability properties of the biosurfactant produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. And we also investigated the enhancement role of this biosurfactant in the biodegradation of anthracene by Irpex lacteus F17. [Methods] The biosurfactant was extracted using trichloromethane from the fermented broth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In order to analyze the stability of the biosurfactant, we determined the surface tension values of the biosurfactant under different conditions using surface/interface tensiometer. During the biodegradation of anthracene by Irpex lacteus F17, we added the biosurfactant to investigate the enhancement role of this biosurfactant. [Results] The result showed that the Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC) of this biosurfactant was 40 mg/L. We observed good stabilities of this biosurfactant in the range of 15?150 °C and pH 6.0?13.0, and this biosurfactant could bear high salt concentration. Using biosurfactant could enhance the biodegradation of anthracene greatly. The degradation rate of 82.9% was obtained after 15 days using 50 mg/L biosurfactant. The biodegradation was enhanced more efficiently when the biosurfactant was added one day before inoculum of degrading strain Irpex lacteus F17. Compared with chemical surfactants, biosurfactant exhibited a more excellent efficacy in enhancing the biodegradation of anthracene. [Conclusion] The excellent surface properties and stabilities and more efficient enhancement in the biodegradation were benificial to the application of biosurfactant in bioremediation.
