Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026

Detection and Quantification of Mono-Rhamnolipids and Di-Rhamnolipids Produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Published on: March 29, 2024
Characterization of rhamnolipids produced by non-pathogenic Acinetobacter and Enterobacter bacteria
Miriam Hošková1, Olga Schreiberová, Richard Ježdík
1Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, Department of Biotechnology, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
Rhamnolipid production by two non-pathogenic bacterial strains Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Enterobacter asburiae, and established rhamnolipid producer Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated. Rhamnolipids were separated from supernatant and further purified by thin-layer chromatography. Mass spectrometry with negative electrospray ionization revealed rhamnolipid homologues varying in chain length and unsaturation. Tandem mass spectrometry identified mono-rhamnolipid and di-rhamnolipid homologues containing one or two 3-hydroxy fatty acids. Several media differing in carbon (sunflower oil, glycerol and sodium citrate), nitrogen (ammonium ions, nitrate) and phosphorus (total content) source, respectively, were tested to obtain enhanced rhamnolipid production. The best production (0.56g/l) was obtained when nitrate was used as a nitrogen source. Both strains produced rhamnolipids that exhibited excellent emulsification activity with aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons and several plant oils. Unlike P. aeruginosa the two strains, i.e. Acinetobacter and Enterobacter, are not pathogenic to humans.
Related Concept Videos
Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria
Formation of Lipopolysaccharides
Bacterial Phylum Proteobacteria
Biosynthesis of Lipids
Bacterial Phylum Bacteroidota
Bacterial Phylum Firmicutes

