Alkyl polyglucosides as cell surface modification factors: influence of the alkyl chain length

• Published in: Toxicological and environmental chemistry Vol. 98; no. 1; pp. 13 - 25
• Main Authors: Smułek, Wojciech, Zdarta, Agata, Milewska, Martyna, Kaczorek, Ewa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 02.01.2016; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: alkyl polyglucosides; Bacteria; bacteria surface; Biodegradation; Bioremediation; Cells; Chains; Contaminants; Diesel; diesel fuel; Diesel fuels; emulsification; hydrophobicity; micelles; Molecules; Oil removal; Pseudomonas fluorescens; Strain; Surface properties; Surfactants; zeta potential
• ISSN: 1029-0486; 0277-2248; 1029-0486
• DOI: 10.1080/02772248.2015.1101113

The use of surfactants in a bioremediation process is aimed at increasing the efficiency of the removal of hydrophobic contaminants from the environment. The subjects of the study were three alkyl polyglucosides (APGs) of different alkyl chain length: Glucopon 215 CS UP, Glucopon 600 CS UP, and Glucopon 650 EC. The impact of these surfactants on the surface properties of the test strain Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 14700, as well as on the biodegradation of diesel was tested. It was observed, that the length of alkyl chain has an influence on the cell surface properties. The modification of the cell surface hydrophobicity and the electrokinetic potential on the bacteria cells is dependent on the structure of Glucopon molecules. The elongation of alkyl chains in surfactant molecule caused an increase of the hydrophobic properties and a reduction of the electrokinetic potential on the bacteria cells. Moreover, the use of APGs below critical micelle concentration caused an increase of diesel oil biodegradation, especially in the case of Glucopons with longer alkyl chain (Glucopon 600 CS UP and 650 EC). The better diesel oil removal by tested strain after surfactant addition was correlated with the hydrophobic properties of bacteria strain.