Characterization of biosurfactant-producing strains of fluorescent pseudomonads in a soilless cultivation system

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek. 2008 Aug;94(2):329-34. doi: 10.1007/s10482-008-9250-2. Epub 2008 May 14.

Abstract

The use of biosurfactants is a promising alternative in biological control of zoospore-producing plant pathogens. In the present study, biosurfactant production by the indigenous population of fluorescent pseudomonads in a soilless plant cultivation system was studied during the growing season. A total of 600 strains was screened and of these 18.5% were observed to produce biosurfactants. Production of both antibiotics and biosurfactant was uncommon among the isolated strains. A selective effect of the cultivation system filter was observed on the biosurfactant-producing strains and these strains were only occasionally observed after the filter, despite having a significantly higher motility than the nonbiosurfactant-producing strains. The majority of biosurfactant-producing strains were isolated from the filter skin, which suggests that this is a suitable surface for inoculation with biocontrol strains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / metabolism*
  • Hydroponics*
  • Plant Roots / microbiology
  • Pseudomonas fluorescens / chemistry
  • Pseudomonas fluorescens / growth & development
  • Pseudomonas fluorescens / metabolism*
  • Solanum lycopersicum / microbiology*
  • Surface-Active Agents / metabolism*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Surface-Active Agents