Synthesis of Lipopeptides Using Vegetable Oils by Newly Isolated Strain of Serratia marcescens G8-1: Genomic Characterization and Process Performance

Biosurfactants are becoming increasingly popular, but industrial production of biosurfactants is difficult, partly due to high production costs resulting from the need to use expensive substrates. One economically feasible candidate is vegetable oils, which can be directly metabolized without pretreatment. The aim of this work is therefore to investigate the possibility of using vegetable oils for lipopeptide production by <i>Serratia marcescens</i> G8-1. The genetic background of this strain for the production of lipopeptides was investigated using a genomic approach. The biosurfactants were analysed by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry. The ability to reduce surface tension was investigated using a tensiometer. The results showed that the best effect in reducing surface tension was achieved by adding waste rapeseed oil. Sunflower and linseed oil also showed good results. Significantly poorer results were obtained when fresh rapeseed oil, sesame oil and pumpkin seed oil were used. The putative gene cluster for cyclic lipopeptides NRPS was identified in the genome of <i>S. marcescens</i> G8-1. The results obtained confirmed that serrawettin W1 is the major biosurfactant produced by <i>S. marcescens</i> G8-1. Of particular interest, the results showed the presence of vinylamycin when rapeseed oil was used.