Multi-response optimization of rhamnolipid production using grey rational analysis in Taguchi method.

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Microbial Production
• Process Optimization

Background:

• Rhamnolipids are biosurfactants with diverse applications.
• Optimizing production by *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* is crucial for industrial viability.
• Clarified blackstrap molasses offers a sustainable substrate.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize process parameters for enhanced rhamnolipid production.
• To improve rhamnolipid yield, surface tension reduction, biomass formation, and substrate utilization.
• To identify optimal levels of total sugars, C/N ratio, and incubation time.

Main Methods:

• Application of L9 orthogonal array in Taguchi design.
• Multi-response analysis using grey relational analysis.
• Confirmation experiments and analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Main Results:

• Rhamnolipid yield increased from 1.45 to 1.50 g/L.
• Substrate utilization decreased from 26% to 14% (w/v) with reduced biomass.
• Volumetric productivity improved by 142%, from 0.0086 to 0.0208 g/L/h.

Conclusions:

• Grey relational analysis effectively identified optimal process parameters.
• The optimized process significantly enhanced rhamnolipid production efficiency.
• Taguchi design and grey relational analysis provide a robust framework for microbial process optimization.