Genetics and Biochemistry of Biosurfactant Synthesis in Arthrobacter Species H-13-A. Progress Report

摘要

A number of microorganisms produce biosurfactants or bioemulsifiers. The chemical and physical properties of these molecules are poorly understood. Biosurfactants compare favorably and, in some cases, are superior to synthetic surfactants. Petroleum sulfonates are commonly used today in surfactant flooding processes for enhanced oil recovery. The biosynthetic pathway for several simple glycolipid-type biosurfactants has been described. The role of these molecules in the uptake or transport of water-insoluble substrates, such as alkanes, has not been firmly established. We propose to study the biosynthesis of glycolipopeptide by Arthrobacter sp H-13-A, focusing on completion of glycolipoprotein structure analysis; elucidation of enzymes involved in glycolipopeptide biosynthesis; and optimization of transformation frequencies for the recombinant shuttle vector constructed for Arthrobacter sp H-13-A with isolation of DNA sequences encoding extracellular glycolipopeptide synthesis. 67 refs., 1 fig., 16 tabs. (ERA citation 11:007843)