This study was designed to determine the effect of acid and alkaline pretreatment of rice husk on the production of biosurfactant using Mucor indicus. Rice husk was pretreated at 120°C in a mineral nutrient medium at variable pH of 2, 7 and 12. The media were adjusted to pH7 after pretreatment to provide suitable environmental pH for microbial growth. Mucor indicus isolated from the rice husk dump site was used to inoculate the pretreated rice rusk media and the setup was allowed to stand for 28 days with intermittent shaking. At the expiration of 28 days, the broth was filtered and centrifuged to remove all suspended cells. The cell free broth was collected for the extraction of biosurfactant using a mixture of chloroform/methanol at ratio 2:1 (mixture/broth). The results revealed that the biosurfactants yield were 0.59±0.078, 0.40±0.042 and 0.78±0.050 g in 100 mL of broth for pH 2, 7 and 12 pretreated rice husk, respectively. The biosurfactants produced showed highest emulsification index for automotive gas oil and lowest for premium motor spirit. The results also suggested that the biosurfactants produced have glycolipids properties. Therefore, it will be correct to suggest that for the conversion of rice husk into useful material such as biosurfactant, the heat pretreatment should be carried out at an alkaline pH.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.