PRODUCTION OF SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENTS BY ARTHROBACTER OV-40 AS AFFECTEDBY MEDIA COMPOSITION

Arthrobacter OV-40, isolated from oil-refinery waste water was tested for its ability to produce surface active agents (SAA) when grown in m edia with various organic matter and n-hexadecane concentrations. The organism was grown in nutrient broth, in medium with low concentration s of organic matter (MSWEY), and in Tauson's mineral medium. All three media were supplemented with 1% n-hexadecane. During a 7 day incubati on period, the growth rate, the degree of substrate emulsification, th e surface tension and emulsifying activity were monitored. The effect of different n-hexadecane concentrations (1, 5, 10%) was followed in M SWEY medium. The greatest biomass yield was achieved in the nutrient b roth, while the highest production of surface active agents was in min eral medium. At higher concentrations of n-hexadecane there was an inc rease in biomass yield, but at concentrations of > 5% the production o f SAA was not affected.